By Chris Erwin
Thinking back, it’s like a dream. I was 15 and all my summer vacations up until then were at what is now called Wolf River Dock. Back in the day, it was Adams Camp, a true fish camp. There were no houseboats, no fancy swimming pools at the motel, and the camping was free. However, they did have cabins, trailers, and a modest motel.
It was all about fishing back then. The main attraction was to watch the fisherman bringing in their catch and cleaning them on the dock. Dale Hollow has always had a good population of smallmouth, but back then it was the crappie and white bass that were always being cleaned and bagged. I interrogated every one of the men who had a big stringer of fish as I tried to learn the secrets of the old timers that always had success on the water. Jim Adams, the owner, and Big Bob, the nighttime dockworker, was like family.
It was a time that has been lost to the ways of modern technology and big money. I spent my days on the water trying out every tip that I collected on the dock. When nighttime came, the grownups would gather to play cards and party, while us kids would end up back on the dock under the lights, as Big Bob would entertain us. On the hot nights, we would all end up in the icehouse. The door would be unlocked and inside it was stocked with pop and block ice. I can remember five or six of us kids all hanging out in the icehouse drinking pop and socializing with who ever happen to be staying there that week. It was a simple time, but one that has been burned into my very nature.
While I often think of those days so long ago, the laid back old-time ways are all but gone. Then, just a week or so ago, I was contacted by Vic and Shelia Lowhorn. As it turns out, they were part of the Adams Family that owned Wolf River Dock. We had a great time reminiscing about the days when the Erwins and Ratliffs, my cousins, came to Wolf River every year. The Lowhorns have bought a new chunk of land just a little ways up the road and now operate Gunnels Fish Camp. According to them, it’s like stepping back in time to those days when I was a young man, open icehouse and all.
When I asked Vic about his place, this was how he described it to me: “Gunnels Fishing Camp is the best-kept secret on Dale Hollow Lake. People have told us that they feel like they step back in time when they come here. It is a great place to fish, boat, kayak, canoe, or just relax. We have cabins, a country store, new and antique tackle, live bait, and RV hookups. Gunnels Camp is also a Corps of Engineers Campground where anyone can stay up to two weeks free. It also has a free boat ramp for launching.”
He also told me that the crappie, smallmouth, largemouth and catfishing were really good in their area around the lake. I hope to make a visit soon to sample that old-time feeling that prevails around a true fish camp. There is something that is both peaceful and inviting about the way old-time fish camps use to be, I long to have that feeling once again.
If you want to try it yourself, contact Vic or Shelia Lowhorn by phone at (931) 864-7277 or email at: gunnelscamp@twlakes.net
Hi Chris,
We read your article this morning. It was great to see what an impact that Adams Camp (Wolf River Dock) made on you growing up. We hope to continue those good memories here. We would like to invite everyone down to visit us at Gunnels Fishing Camp located at Wolf River on Dale Hollow Lake. You can fish here with Tennessee or Kentucky Fishing License. Directions: From Albany, Ky follow 127 South, turn right on Junction 3066, left on 1576 then right on Gunnels Road.
We look forward to seeing you here and hope you can make more good memories that will last a lifetime.
Thanks,
Vic and Shelia Lowhorn
Gunnels Fishing Camp
Great memories! My dad called it Jim Adam’s Dock. The first time he took me there was when I was about 3 tears old (the late ’50’s.) We were there many, many times over the years. It was a big part of our family’s happiest memories. There used to be photos of my dad and uncles and cousins, with their strings of fish, decorating the bulletin boards. I hope, so much, to be able to visit one more time! I would love to have a family reunion there this summer. Dad & Mom would be there in spirit, I’m sure.
Like stepping back in Time! The Camp- the People There, and In the Area Will Reteach You The important Things in Life. Great Fishing, Views, And The Feeling of “Home”!
My wife’s family has been going to Gunnels Fishing Camp for forty years, after being introduced to Gunnels Fishing Camp, I was hooked, the best thing about Gunnels Fishing Camp is that it is truly a step back in time and not commercialized with big hotels, swimming pools and so on, it’s nestled in a small valley right on the river, I would like to thank Sheila and Vic Lowhorn for there hospitality when we come down, the store has new and antique tackle, live bait, and fuel, the fishing is outstanding and never disappointed, Can’t wait to get back down their.