On the morning of July 9, 1955, angler David L. Hayes of Leitchfield began a trolling run in the Phillips Bend area of Dale Hollow Lake.

After Hayes cleared a point near what is now Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, the biggest smallmouth bass ever caught by an angler struck his pearl-colored Bomber 600 lure. The 27-inch long smallmouth bass that Hayes reeled in from the Kentucky side of the lake that day weighed 11 pounds, 15 ounces. It remains the all-tackle world record.

To commemorate this legendary catch, the auxiliary boat ramp at Dale Hollow State Resort Park Marina was recently renamed the David L. Hayes Boat Ramp. The sign marking the ramp includes a life-sized image of the record fish.

Now anglers that launch or take out their boats at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park can compare their trophy catches to the world record, said Chad Miles, administrative coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

The ramp dedication was a collaborative effort of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Kentucky Department of Parks and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

Art collectors also have the rare opportunity to purchase a copy of the Hayes smallmouth bass painted by nationally recognized wildlife artist Rick Hill. The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation is offering 100 prints individually signed and numbered by Hill. Proceeds from the sale will benefit conservation education efforts across Kentucky. The painting depicts the life-sized fish.

A print signed by Hill and Hayes now hangs in the lobby of the Mary Oaken Lodge at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.

Prints are available for purchase online at www.kentuckywildlife.com

Dr. James Rich, 5th District Commissioner for the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission, reveals the new sign renaming the auxiliary boat ramp at Dale Hollow State Resort Park the David L. Hayes Boat Ramp. Mr. Hayes, in white cap and jacket, admires the new sign with his wife Ruth (to his left) and his son David (between them). Mr. Hayes caught the 11-pound, 15-ounce world record smallmouth near this ramp on July 9, 1955. Chad Miles, executive director of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is on the far left with Joe Bolton of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation behind Mrs. Hayes. Beside the sign (with cap) is Rick Hill, staff artist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, who painted the replica of the fish. To the right of the sign is Benjy Kinman (behind Dr. Rich), Deputy Commissioner for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, and Mike Lynn, park manager for Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park.