LAKE REPORT: Starting the day can seem like a race

Doug Corley and Stan Richards, old friends of mine from my hometown of Phenix City, were at the gate the other morning when we opened.

After they finished fishing I enjoyed reminiscing with Doug about old times and friends. Of course, old men don’t gossip, we just talk about people.

Doug mentioned when Mama opened the gate that morning it reminded him of the Atlanta 500 as anglers cranked and gunned their motors in anticipation of getting on the lake. This brought to mind another morning this spring.

Very few people are fortunate enough to be able to ride a golf cart to work every day like I do. Sometimes I get to the lake an hour before sunrise. I ride around on the cart with my cup of coffee enjoying the sounds of the wild as nature wakes up. After meandering awhile, I topped the hill between the bait house and the gate.

As usual for a Saturday, there were several vehicles at the gate and some lined up on the road. Although it was 20 minutes before sunrise, I decided to go ahead and open early. It was just breaking light.

Not expecting me that early, anglers were leisurely standing around talking, fixing their poles, working on their boats, etc. The slow pace was broken when someone saw me and yelled “Here he comes,” or did he say “Gentlemen, start your engines?”

Folks were jumping out of boats and throwing rod and reels in the back of the truck as they ran and jumped in their vehicles. Engines started and lights came on as they got ready for takeoff. The adrenaline was pumping.

Oops, I realized I had left the gate key at the bait house. Whipping the cart around quickly, some didn’t appreciate it as horns started blowing and lights were flashing. Avoiding a riot, I quickly returned and opened the gate. There was a slow ride to the bait house on the cart — or should I say pace car — as the procession followed reverently.

As the pace car pulled into the bait house, the atmosphere became not so reverent. Some folks were jumping out of their vehicles, many before coming to a complete stop, and hastily, some in a dead run, trying to be first in line at the bait house.

In 30 minutes we had written 42 fishing permits, nine boat launches and had rented seven boats.

Although hectic, after 11 years it continues to please me week after week to see young and old alike get so excited about a day on the lake.

LAKE HOURS: Sunrise to sunset, closed on Monday

AMENITIES: Cabins, boat rental, pier with feeder, boat ramp, restrooms and bait house.

FOURTH OF JULY: We will be open.

NIGHT FISHING: Every Wednesday until 10 p.m.

KING CAT TOURNAMENT: Win a boat through Sept. 30

LEADER: Billy Horne, 11.6 pounds.

Fishing Report
Although the heat has kept some anglers away, production numbers have held up fairly well.

Some crappie have been caught, but I would have to say this species is slow.

Bass have been doing well from the bank and boats, early morning and late evening.

Bream and catfish remain consistent.

Beat the heat and join us for Wednesday Night Fishing.

Dwight Lake is lake manager of Lee County State Lake and Bait House. He can be reached at 749-1275.