by Joe Pulliam and Friends
The first week of December five friends of mine were sitting in our favorite tackle shop, when a gentleman came in and told us about Dream Lake. After a short discussion we immediately booked a trip. We left early one afternoon and after a short four hour drive we arrived at the lodge. We were greeted by Eartha, a member of the staff who also happened to be our cook. Eartha made us feel right at home, the only thing that surpassed her personality was her cooking. That evening she cooked us a southern style meal.

The accommodations were second to none, a lodge with a big screen television, mounts of bass, deer and wild game throughout with TVs in each room. The next morning we had home-cooked biscuits then off to the lake.

Waiting at the dock was Paul, the owner. He had waiting for us three new 21 foot Stratos boats ready to go, loaded down with trolling motors, depth finders, everything you need to fish first class. At the dock Paul told us what the fish were biting the last couple of weeks. Fishing spinner baits real slow, bump it over timber and rock piles, 1/2 oz. chartreuse and white with gold blades seem to be the best.

Also Diawa Suspending TD minnow in olive pearl with a show double jerk then stop, retrieve. A new stick bait called the Sammy in pearl color has been dominating the early morning top water bite with a slow twitch, twitch then stop, retrieve. Crank baits that are about the same size as the shad and shad color, medium diver's that float or suspend depending on the time of day.

Paul told us to use a variety of worms, lizards and jigs. Color will determine the time of day, depth and light conditions. Colors such as junebug, red bug, green pumpkin and watermelon seed. Paul informed us that he did not allow wide gap hooks on Dream Lake. The best hook to use is Gamakatsu 4/0 and 5/0 Round Band hooks. Paul said the reason for this is that most new hooks will not rust out and the wide gap hooks are hard to get out of a gut hooked fish. After Paul gave us these fishing tips we paired up and started our adventure.

My partner and I started down the lake throwing spinner baits and top water lures. The catching was fast and furious. We fished from daylight until 11:00 am. When we met back at the dock, everyone could not believe the quantity and quality of the fish that were caught that morning. The other two boats caught anywhere from 50-60 bass weighing from 3-8 lbs. The spinner baits seemed to be the lure of choice that morning.

hen it was back to the lodge for lunch. Once again Eartha outdid herself right down to the peach cobbler and ice cream. After lunch, we couldn't wait to get back to the water. From noon until dark the fishing got even better. We had 28 bass over 8 lbs., 5 over 9 lbs., 3 over 10 lbs. and my personal best 12.8 lbs.!! That day everyone caught tons of fish; you could catch fish on almost anything you wanted to throw.

The lake was well managed with underwater aerators along with feeders throughout the lake. As well as being fertilized and supplemented with crawfish, tilapia, threadfin shad and coppernose, bluegill throughout the year. I was most impressed by the fact that this lake is not over-fished. The lake is closed Sunday and Wednesday. Only two boats a day are allowed to fish with an occasional corporate day which we can accommodate up to 10 boats.

We were comparing Dream Lake to the lakes in Mexico; some of us had taken a trip there last year. Everyone decided; why go all the way to Mexico when you can go right around the corner to Alabama? Dream Lake is exactly what it is, a lake you only dream about. I hope Paul has a spot open for us on the new Dream Lake II that is opening in Spring 2002. Joe Pulliam, David Smith, Teal Gambrell, Jamie Koza, Ricky Price Jody Watson Marietta, GA

For information about Dream Lake Lodge call 1-205-652-4545 or look at our website www.dreamlakelodge.com