Larry Penkava
RANDLEMAN — As many as 60 boats were lined up Monday morning to test the waters of the Randleman Regional Reservoir.
Open to the public beginning at 8 a.m., March 1, staff members of the marina arrived to find boaters parked at the gate and extending down Adams Farm Road waiting to get out on the lake, which has been in the works since at least 1937.
First in line with their fishing boat were Keith Cranford of Asheboro and Randy Corder of Seagrove.
“We’ve been here since 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon,” said Cranford. “We wanted to make history – the first to be on the lake legally. And we want to set the bass record, at least for one day.”
Cranford said that while they waited they saw plenty of sightseers driving by interested in what was going on. He said he and Corder let some of the other boaters share their camper to stay warm and watch TV.
“My buddy (Cranford) called me and was interested in getting here first,” said Corder. “We got lucky – we were the first ones.”
Corder said the largest bass he’s ever caught was 10 pounds. “I want one bigger than that,” he said.
John Kime, executive director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority which owns and operates the reservoir, said someone had counted 60 boats waiting in line. The maximum number of boats allowed on the lake is 100.
Darrell Frye, Randolph County commissioner and member of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors, came out for the opening.
“It’s the fulfillment of a lot of work by a lot of people,” he said, adding that only the day when the first drink of water from the lake is taken could be considered more significant.
“I first ran (for county commissioner) in 1982 and this was the No. 1 issue in the area,” he said. Back then they were still deciding where the lake would be and what it would look like.
“Twenty eight years later we’re fishing,” said Frye. “It’s rewarding that people can see the benefits. Good people can fish without other interruptions (such as high-speed boats and skiers). It’s peaceful and enjoyable.”
