Everybody loves a good urban legend, even the totally unfounded ones. There’s something exciting and thrilling about the unknown, strange happenings of places that seem typical or ordinary. Idaho has many urban legends, but this one dates back for centuries. The story of the lake monster living underneath the waters of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho might seem silly to some. But the story has been around for ages, and there are just as many people who will swear by it.
In the beautiful resort town of McCall, Idaho is the massive and beautiful Payette Lake. Payette Lake is comprised of over 5,000 acres of the most serene water surrounded by looming pine and Douglas fir trees. During the summer time the lake is crowded with people swimming, boating, wading, etc.
Some of them are aware of the story of the monster that lurks beneath the water's surface. The legend goes back hundreds of years. It is said that the Native Americans who lived in the region told stories of an evil spirit inhabiting the still and seemingly bottomless waters of the lake.
The monster has lovingly been given the name of "Sharlie," although it is sometimes referred to as "Slimy Slim." Sharlie has been described as a Loch Ness-type of creature, resembling a dragon or dinosaur with scaly green skin. It has been reported to be in between 10 to 50 feet long.
Of course some people have given the explanation that this creature is simply a large sturgeon or something of the like. To others, the existence of Sharlie is no question.
The first documented sighting of Sharlie occurred back in the 1920s! At first, a railroad logging crew thought it was just a large log they were seeing floating in the lake. However, the log began to move in surging and swelling motions...making it clear this was no piece of wood.
Since Payette Lake is located over an old volcanic crater, some theorize that Sharlie spends her time hiding in the many lava tubes located at the bottom of the lake.
There were many sighting of Sharlie reported throughout the 1940s and 1950s and there are still sightings up to this day. However, there has been no official evidence of Sharlie's existence.
Sharlie has been described as a benign creature and is referred to affectionately by local residents. There is even a cartoon-like statue of her located beside the lake.
She simply makes a small appearance once in awhile and disappears back into the water.
It's clear that there is something occupying the idyllic waters of Payette Lake. Whether Sharlie is the sea monster she's made out to be or something more ordinary is the real question. Whether you believe it or not, the legend of Sharlie will continue to live on.
