Sharlie the Lake Monster (July 17, 2018)
- Stephen
- Jul 17, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 12, 2019
First Sighting: 1920
Latest Sighting: 2002
Location of Sightings: Payette Lake, McCall, Idaho
Description
Sharlie is often described as a 30 to 40 foot long serpentine monster with scaly skin. The scales have been reported as either brownish-green or yellow. The creature is often seen rising up and then back down into the water as it swims, creating a series of humps. Many locals also refer to the creature as male.
Sightings
The first documented sighting occurred in 1920. A logging crew reported seeing a log that moved in a wave like motion. It then moved away from the group. In 1944, the biggest sighting by far occurred. According to the Boise Weekly, nearly thirty people saw the serpent swimming in the lake. This sighting later found it's way to the national spotlight via a Time Magazine issue (that I was unable to find) from August of that year. The creature was called "Slimy Slim" at the time. Twenty people, including Dr. G. A. Taylor, saw the creature. The doctor said that the wake it left was similar to that of a motor boat. McCall's local newspaper held a contest in 1954 to change the monster's name. The winner would receive $40. Eventually, a woman from Springfield, Virginia suggested the name "Sharlie". And that has been it's name ever since. Various sightings occurred in the 60's and 70's. A report from the Bloomsberg State College in Bloomsberg, Pennsylvania came out in 1980. The report says that Sharlie could be an undiscovered species of animal that was on the brink of extinction. The last documented sighting occurred in 2002.
Theories
Many claim that Sharlie is real, a giant sturgeon, or simply a hoax. I believe that it may have existed for a time, most likely from 1920 to 1950. I believe that it is dead at this point. But, I can't deny the impact that this creature has had.
Gallery
Payette Lake
Sharlie Playground Equipment in McCall, Idaho
A photo that allegedly depicts Sharlie
Sources
Kevin's Criptids (Sharlie Photo)
Small Update
While is was in McCall for vacation, I studied this topic. But I also did some field research on The Order of Moloch's Stone. Strangely, nobody knew what I was talking about. I'll look into it a bit more.
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