New Boca Grande Fishing Hall of Fame inducts first honorees
We finally have a Boca Grande Fishing Guides Hall of Fame.
Many times, folks had discussed a hall of fame for our traditional tarpon fishery cornerstones and its guides. Now we have one.
The gathering for the inductions was impressive: a collection of current and past guides, their families and the folks that made everything happen. It is great that some of the folks who did so much of the work finally get some of the credit they deserve.
It was emotional and moving to hear the family members and inductees share their appreciation for this honor bestowed on them. Three of the (honored) guides have passed but two were in attendance.
Guides inductees were Capt. Freddy Futch, Capt. James ‘Cappy’ Joiner, Capt. John “Tater” Spinks, Capt. Johns Knight and Capt. William ‘Dumplin’ Wheeler. It was emotional for all of us, especially Tater’s family, having just lost him recently. The heritage these and others passed on to our fishery is a blessing to be cherished. The improvements they contributed have helped us enjoy better fishing and gain knowledge of stewardship that helps preserve our fishery.
Freddy Futch understood Boca Grande Pass tarpon better than anyone else, in my opinion. I stumbled onto him on the fringes of the Pass several times. I thought I had discovered something; he had been enjoying it already. He anticipated the fish instead of following them. I was a better fisherman for knowing him.
If you met Cappy, you never forgot him. He made lasting impressions. Cappy was instrumental in the tarpon tags. Jack Harper helped here too and was overlooked. The tarpon tide tournaments promoted our tarpon fishery. Cappy’s passion for catching fish may have exceeded Freddy’s, and that took some doing. Both went fishing to catch tarpon and took it incredibly seriously.
Johns Knight and his family built many of the best traditional Pass tarpon boats ever made. He and his brother fished and helped many others learn to fish the Pass effectively. Johns and his family were the backbone of our fishery. He continues to work to promote and protect our unique Boca Grande fishery.
Last but never least is the old-timer Dumplin Wheeler. I’m old now but he is even older, still full of life and stories. Dumplin has blessed so many of us, especially younger anglers’ ladies, taking them fishing. He entertains us with stories and tales, leaving great memories and happy smiles.
We inducted several members of our fishing community who dedicated their efforts and energy to our fishery.
Several dedicated their efforts to judging our tarpon tournaments.
Braxton Bowen donated many days to help with our tarpon tournaments. He could always be counted on to help as needed. If you’ve never run a tournament, you can’t understand the blessing this is. Thank you.
Elsie S. Bracken was the lady of our tarpon fishing. Tiny but unstoppable fighting tarpon twice her size. Capt. Bill Hathcock kept all our tarpon gear in top shape. He guided Elsie to fish every month of the year. He was so happy guiding her, sharing her love of tarpon and fishing. She was one of a kind, a beautiful, kind lady that loved to battle silver kings.
Sandy Bylaska ran a tight ship judging our tournaments. She was consistent and never hesitated to make the call. Many times big money was at stake, but nothing shook her and what a blessing she was to us all. Thank you, Sandy.
Daniel E. Godwin has been the photographer documenting Boca Grande’s Pass tarpon fishing for at least four decades. He has a photo collection of tarpon battles and boats that detail our tarpon and tournament fishery’s history. His ability to capture tarpon jumping by the boats, especially at the time of release, is exceptional. He is our visual historian, and a blessing to our heritage and fishery. Thank you, Daniel.
The late Isabelle Joiner was recognized for her role as matriarch of the Joiner family. Thank you, Isabelle.
A special thank you should also go to Capt. Sandy Melvin and the entire Boca Grande Historical Society committee that put the event together and pulled it off, along with J.T. Turner and his catering crew. They have all created a new tradition for Boca Grande.
