Fishing the main draw at Dry Fork Lake near Hollis
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Dry Fork Lake.
Well, this week’s article will conclude the last of three lakes which I planned to cover in succession. I have spent my fair share of time at the previous two destinations. However, I am far more familiar with today’s reservoir, and for good reason.
I can recall riding around in the lake bed shortly before Dry Fork Lake began filling, many years ago. I was a young teenager at the time, and I have since returned to its waters many times throughout the past 40 years or so.
Of course, most of my excursions to the 105-acre flood control reservoir have revolved around my passion for fishing. Of course, this lake is no different from any body of water in the sense that there are simply days when the fish refuse to bite.
I can recall a few outings when the lake was still young, that proved very productive. In fact, I can recall a cool January morning when my dad boated a largemouth exceeding 5 pounds.
I can recall yet another outing when we strung a trotline one evening and boated several impressive channel cats on the following morning. I have even managed to coax a crappie or two into biting throughout the years.
It is important, though, to explain that the body of water has hosted worlds of anglers since back in the day. And one would suspect that pressure in such a small body of water would have an adverse effect on the overall quality of fishing.
That all being said, I have experienced successful outings, on occasion, at Dry Fork Lake throughout the past five or so years. However, I have also seen my fair share of those days when the numbers are sparse and the average size is less than hoped for.
Although fishing is my usual draw to this particular reservoir, I arrived with other intentions. In fact, I have spent quite a bit of time peering through my viewfinder while on or within sight of the water.
I have also spent a few late nights on the lake with hopes of bagging a mess of bullfrogs. I have experienced a few action-packed nights on the lake. But I have also spent a number of hours slowly easing around the entire shoreline and returned home with an empty bag, as well.
A friend and I have also spent some frigid mornings on the reservoir, with our decoys floating and our eyes to the sky. Of course, just about any excursion in the midst of Mother Nature can be enjoyable. But I finally came to the conclusion that the few ducks we managed to bag were not worth the trouble of crawling out of the sack early enough to make the long drive and be ready to hunt when shooting time was deemed underway.
Speaking of the drive, Dry Fork Lake is not hard to find. Simply head north on Highway 7 near Fountain Lake School and travel in the neighborhood of 28 miles to the
Highway 314 intersection.
Turn left onto and remain on 314 for about 4.5 miles and take a left onto Shepherd Ford Road. Follow Shepherd Ford Road for seven-tenths of a mile and take a left at the Dry Fork Lake sign.
This short section of road will cross a low-water bridge spanning the South Fourche Lafave River. The small waterway usually runs below the road, through several small culverts. However, it is important to know that this particular river rises and gets on a rage quickly. That being said, one might strongly consider avoiding the crossing immediately after heavy precipitation.
One might also be aware that recent floodwaters have caused the road to wash out where the opposing side of the concrete structure ties in with the natural substrate. We made the crossing without any hitches during our most recent excursion to the lake. But one who crosses the bridge without slowing to prepare for the upcoming ruts might find themselves in a predicament, or in for a rough ride, at the least.
Once turning onto the road at the sign, simply remain straight until veering right just before the road crosses the dam. The earthen launching ramp is located on the left, shortly after turning at the base of the dam. However, those who continue along the road beyond the launching ramp will arrive at an area where a lot of folks camp on the backside of the bay.
This appears to be a pretty popular camping spot. But it is not a spot where those who must have the amenities of home would enjoy. There are no water, electrical or sewer hookups. In fact, those whom nature calls during their excursion are limited to retreating into the cover of a heavy understory to seek relief.
OK, let’s backtrack to the launching ramp and take a little tour of the reservoir. After putting the boat in the water we’ll head along the edge of the dam to where it collides with a steep hillside.
Continuing along the shoreline, the lake makes a hard turn to the right and remains contained by the steep hill for a short distance prior to veering to the left alongside a rock formation and into a small pocket, where the shoreline becomes less steep and the depth lessens.
The lake enters a huge colony of standing timber shortly thereafter. The body of water remains fairly wide for a while but eventually begins to narrow as it nears the spot where Dry Fork River feeds the reservoir.
I have managed to catch fish pretty much throughout the entire lake during my previous outings. However, I most prefer the narrow section of water from the shoals to where the bay begins to open up. I don’t suppose it’s necessarily because I have caught more fish in this particular section of the lake. It’s simply a matter of enjoying the natural beauty of a riverside setting.
The shoreline then heads back through the stand of timber to where open water awaits in the main bay. The water level is shallow at this transition, and there is ample buckbrush to provide bass with cover. And one might find it interesting to know that there is also a large submerged hump in the vicinity, as well.
The shoreline makes a hard turn to the left upon entering the bay and makes its way alongside the road leading to the aforementioned camping spot. It makes a hard turn to the right and heads back in the direction of the launching ramp.
Although this stretch of banks looks inviting, it has notoriously proven the least productive stretch of water throughout the entire reservoir. That being said, I do catch a few along this part of the lake. And there might be others who find it their favorite stretch of water.
Regardless of what stretch of water one might prefer, Dry Fork Lake is a destination that might be considered by those with small crafts. It can handle flat bottoms with small outboards and is certainly a location that is suited for kayaks and canoes.
And who knows? Its next visitor might just catch the fish in a feeding frenzy, and bring home memories of tying into that catch of a lifetime.