Aquatic Cryptids · Cryptozoology 101 ·

Discovering Sharlie McCall Idaho: The Legend of Payette Lake's Monster

By Dr. Elizabeth Harper, Cryptozoologist

The Birth of a Legend

The story of Sharlie begins long before it had a name, rooted in the whispers of Native American tribes who spent their summers in Long Valley. These early inhabitants spoke of an evil spirit lurking in the seemingly bottomless waters, a tale that set the stage for the modern legend to come.

It wasn't until 1920 that the first documented sighting by Western settlers occurred. A group of railroad workers, busy cutting ties near the upper end of the lake, spotted what they initially thought was a floating log. Their curiosity turned to astonishment as the "log" began to move of its own accord, undulating through the water and leaving a wake in its path. This encounter marked the beginning of a series of sightings that would capture the imagination of the community and beyond.

The summer of 1944 brought the most famous sighting to date. Near an area of the lake known as the Narrows, a group of over twenty people reported seeing a creature that defied explanation. Their description was vivid and consistent: a beast stretching 35 feet in length, sporting a head reminiscent of a dinosaur, complete with pronounced jaws. Its body, they claimed, featured humps like those of a camel, covered in skin that resembled a shell. This sighting catapulted the creature into the national spotlight, earning it the rather unflattering moniker "Slimy Slim."

As news spread, Payette Lake became a hotspot for monster hunters and curious onlookers. The August 1944 issue of Time Magazine reported that since July 2nd of that year, 30 people had claimed to see the creature's "periscope-shaped head" breaking the surface of the lake. The legend of Payette Lake's monster was officially born.

A Name Worthy of a Legend

By 1954, it became clear to the residents of McCall that their local legend deserved a more dignified name than "Slimy Slim." A. Boone McCallum, the editor of the local Star News, took it upon himself to rectify this situation. He launched a national contest to rename the creature, inviting submissions from far and wide.

The winning entry came from an unexpected source. Le Isle Hennefer Tury of Springfield, Virginia, suggested the name "Sharlie." Her inspiration? A popular catchphrase from Jack Pearl's radio show: "Vas you der, Sharlie?" The name struck a chord with the locals, perfectly balancing whimsy with a touch of mystery. From that moment on, Slimy Slim was officially christened Sharlie, cementing its place in local lore and giving the creature a personality all its own.

This naming contest did more than just give Sharlie its identity; it transformed the creature from a local oddity into a cultural icon. The national attention brought by the contest helped spread Sharlie's fame far beyond the shores of Payette Lake, turning it into a symbol of McCall and a source of pride for the community.

Sharlie Through the Years

Since its official naming, Sharlie sightings have continued to pepper the lake's history, each adding a new layer to the legend. In 1956, Dabney Taylor reported a close encounter while boating on the lake. According to Taylor, Sharlie swam near his boat, creating a significant wake. He described the creature as having a long neck crowned with a small head featuring two distinct horns.

Five years later, in 1961, Jayne Brown claimed to have seen Sharlie twice in a single day while fishing on Payette Lake. Her description painted a vivid picture: a dark green body adorned with black spots, complete with a long tail ending in a fin. These details added to the growing tapestry of Sharlie's appearance, fueling speculation and imagination alike.

The 1980s brought a scientific twist to Sharlie's tale. A biology student published a research paper suggesting that Sharlie could be an undiscovered species on the brink of extinction. This academic interest, however brief, lent a veneer of credibility to the legend, encouraging more serious consideration of the possibility that something unusual indeed lurked in Payette Lake's depths.

As the years passed, sightings became less frequent but no less impactful. The last documented sighting occurred in 2002, leaving many to wonder if Sharlie had finally retreated to the deepest parts of the lake or if the creature was simply becoming more elusive with age.

Despite the lack of recent sightings, Sharlie's presence in McCall remains strong. The legend has evolved from a simple monster story into a complex tapestry of local history, folklore, and community identity. Each retelling of Sharlie's tale adds new threads to this tapestry, ensuring that the legend remains vibrant and alive in the hearts and minds of both locals and visitors.

The Science Behind the Legend

While the legend of Sharlie captures the imagination, it's important to consider the scientific perspective on such phenomena. Payette Lake, formed by glacial activity, spans over 5,000 acres and reaches depths of up to 392 feet. These characteristics make it an intriguing habitat for various aquatic life, but do they support the existence of a creature like Sharlie?

Skeptics and scientists have proposed several explanations for Sharlie sightings:

Misidentification of known aquatic species, such as sturgeon, which can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 1,500 pounds.
Natural phenomena like seiches, standing waves in enclosed bodies of water that can create unexplained surface disturbances.
Psychological factors, including the human tendency to find patterns in ambiguous stimuli and the power of suggestion.

Despite these rational explanations, the allure of Sharlie persists. The lack of concrete evidence doesn't diminish the creature's importance to the community or the thrill of imagining what might lie beneath the surface of Payette Lake.

Sharlie in Popular Culture

Over the decades, Sharlie has transcended its status as a local legend to become a cultural icon for McCall and the surrounding area. The creature's influence can be seen in various aspects of local life:

Annual McCall Winter Carnival featuring ice sculptures of Sharlie
Sharlie-themed merchandise in local gift shops
Themed menu items in local restaurants
Inspiration for literature, including Lynda Johnson's book "Sharlie"
Artistic interpretations in paintings, sculptures, and other media

Sharlie's fame has extended beyond McCall, featuring in cryptozoology books and websites alongside more famous lake monsters like Scotland's Nessie or Lake Champlain's Champ.

Community Impact and Tourism

The legend of Sharlie has had a profound impact on the community of McCall, influencing everything from local identity to economic development:

Symbol of the town's unique character and connection to nature
Draw for tourists interested in potentially spotting a legendary lake monster
"Sharlie-watching" boat tours on Payette Lake
Use of Sharlie's image in marketing materials for the town
Contribution to McCall's growth and development

However, balancing the promotion of the legend with environmental conservation presents ongoing challenges for the community.

The Sharlie Shuffle: A Unique Celebration

The annual Sharlie Shuffle is a fundraising trail run held in Ponderosa State Park that celebrates the Sharlie legend while supporting local trail maintenance:

Offers 6-hour and 12-hour run options
Course winds through beautiful terrain surrounding Payette Lake
Participants encouraged to keep an eye out for Sharlie
"Sharlie sighting forms" provided for runners
Proceeds go towards maintenance and improvement of Ponderosa State Park

The event's growing popularity demonstrates how deeply ingrained the Sharlie legend has become in the community's identity.

Sharlie's Place in Cryptozoology

Sharlie holds a significant place in the field of cryptozoology, often mentioned alongside other famous lake monsters. Key points include:

Similarities in descriptions to other reported lake monsters
Debates about whether Payette Lake could support a breeding population of large, unknown animals
Theories about underground tunnels connecting Payette Lake to other water bodies
Lack of physical evidence, but consistent nature of sightings over nearly a century
Inspiration for various expeditions and investigations using advanced technology

Sharlie serves as a symbol of the mysteries that remain in nature, inspiring continued exploration and wonder in the cryptozoology community.

The Future of the Legend

As we look to the future, several factors may influence the evolution of the Sharlie legend:

Impact of technology on potential evidence gathering
Environmental concerns and preservation of Payette Lake
Potential new theories about Sharlie's nature or origin
Integration of the legend into education and outreach programs
Evolving approaches to Sharlie-themed tourism

Ultimately, the future of Sharlie rests in the hands of the McCall community and those who cherish the legend. As long as people continue to gaze out over the waters of Payette Lake with a sense of wonder, Sharlie will live on, adapting and evolving with each new generation.

In the grand tapestry of American folklore, Sharlie stands out as a uniquely Idaho phenomenon. Whether seen as a potential cryptozoological discovery, a cherished local mascot, or simply a fun story to share, Sharlie continues to capture imaginations and remind us of the enduring power of mystery in our modern world. Some visitors even choose to stay at Sharlie's Nest, a vacation rental named after the legendary creature, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive lake monster during their stay.