An Angler Looks At 70

Growing up in the foothills of North Carolina, fishing was a far cry from fishing on the Carolina coast. However, fishing in my early years is something I’ve never forgotten, and I frequently think back to those days. I fished with my grandfather (Paw Paw), a small man who probably didn’t really like fishing too much, but loved doing things with his only grandson at the time. He was a little fellow, about 5’5”, with nearly always a cup of coffee in his hand. It’s a habit I’ve mastered in my later years as well. I really believe I acquired the habit to keep my memory of him close.

We would head out on a warm Saturday morning with an old, heavy cooler holding a block of ice, a couple of Cokes and a bologna sandwich with mustard, wrapped up with a toothpick holding it in place. My gear was made up of a bamboo rod, sewing thread and one small hook tied tightly on. It was the only hook I had, and I think I kept it for three years before I lost it. Last, but certainly not least, we had two outdoor folding chairs and a bucket made of galvanized steel to carry our fish home. However, most fishing days the bucket wasn’t needed.

About 30 years later, I moved with my family to the North Carolina coast. That’s where I took up saltwater fishing on an old, broken dock that required me to test each floorboard to make sure it would hold as I walked to the end to start fishing. There I learned to fish with my great uncle’s old gear, educated by a small group of Black men who fished there every weekend. Over time, they came to call me “Sunscreen” since I was forever rubbing on suntan oil to keep from blistering.

Over time, I graduated to owning my first boat, with many more to come. After that, I gave up my job and became a fishing guide. I fished among North Carolina fishing professionals like Captain Lee Parsons, Captain Jimmy Vass, the well-known Captain Jot Owens and Rod Bierstedt. All are still friends today. It was a great time in my life, to say the least.

In the years that followed, I worked for the local Sea Tow, where the owner, Captain Chris Willis, was kind enough to give me a job. That was the highlight of my life, even more than my 10-year career at Sea Tow International, where I was able to travel all over America as the company’s vice president.

For the past 15 years, I have enjoyed my role as a writer and publisher for this magazine. By doing that, I’ve been able to continue enjoying fishing through my magazine and the wonderful people who became friends along the way. Without those friends, I would never have made it this far. Not many people get the wonderful benefit of telling the great stories that surround their lives.

While my steps are a little shorter these days, I still roll out of bed at 5:30 a.m. and don’t stop until after 7:00 p.m. I still have a lot I want to accomplish. Even at 70, I’m nowhere close to stopping.

To all those who have been an important part of my life, it couldn’t have happened without you. My only regret is not having enough paper to mention all of you!!!

Fish Hard & Live Long