Country roads are my favorites for driving and viewing animals. Recently I was headed to Paint Creek Lake off Ohio 50 between Hillsboro and Bainbridge. The 1,190-acre flood control lake in a 7,400-acre state park and wildlife area lies south of Greenfield.
No stocking fish?!
When the dam was being built to create the reservoir, the late John Walker, then district fish management supervisor, made an announcement that rocked the fishing world.
“We are not going to stock fish at Paint Creek Lake. The stream feeding into the reservoir will do the stocking,” Walker said.
This happened in the late 1970s. Fishermen living in the Paint Creek area were outraged. It would be years before the lake would be worth fishing, the critics argued.
Still, Walker was backed by state wildlife officials.
Walker was right. The first fall after Paint Creek Lake was formed, the reservoir was alive with fish. Many crappies were taken within a few months.
Walker was judged a hero. Many who knew him wanted to call the large island at Caesar Creek Lake “Walker’s Island.”
State officials insisted that was illegal. Special points of interest at a state lake must be named after a public official.
So far as I know, there is not a public map of Caesar Creek Lake listing the name of “Walker’s Island.” Nonetheless, anglers far and wide use the name “Walker’s Island” when referring to this piece of land surrounded by water.
Great views each season
There are many interesting stories about Ohio lakes and rivers. Country roads leading to them add to the attraction.
Country roads afford outstanding scenery at all times. In summer, we see the green farm fields and note the wild flowers along the roadsides.
Fall brings picturesque views of farmers harvesting their crops. And in the forest, the trees are ablaze with color.
Spring arrives and country roads beckon. It is good to see farmers back in their fields, plowing and planting seed.
Most people are in a hurry and need the highways. But, when possible, many of us prefer taking more time and enjoy driving the country road.
Contact Jim Robey at Dayton Daily News, 1611 S. Main St., Dayton, OH 45409.
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