Margaret Clay
“Betcha go fishin’ all the time, baby’s going fishing too.
Bet your life, your sweet wife, catch more fish than you!
Many fish bite if you got good bait, here’s a little trick that
I would like to relate.
Many fish bite if you got good bait!
I’m a-going fishing, momma’s going fishing, and my
baby’s going fishing too!”
Some of my earliest memories are of my dad singing me this Chris Smith wisdom from 1911 the night before a morning fishing trip. In fact, I think my first “vacation” was a fly-fishing trip to the North Carolina mountains when I was 2 months old. My mom just set my bassinette, covered in mosquito netting, on a large rock near whatever pool she was fishing and cast away at the trout hovering below the glassy surface.
Fly-fishing has a remarkable history, and the culture surrounding its modern-day following is one of blazing zeal combined with a peace that comes from enjoying harmony with nature. On page 46, Tom Ryan gives a fascinating history of the evolution of the fly rod up to its present-day multifaceted types and uses, from the streams of the mountains, to the rivers of the Midlands, down to the salt waters of the coast.
This issue is chock full of nostalgia for bygone days and the simple pleasures of summer. If fishing isn’t your thing, turn to page 54 for Robert Clark’s photo essay on historic movie theaters in South Carolina and plan a family drive-in movie night at the Big Mo. Or flip to page 82 for Jim Casada’s tutorial on wild berry picking. For the less adventurous, who may prefer not to brave wild fields in a summer’s heat, Mary Green Brush offers a guide to shopping from local farmers for the best and freshest flavors of the season on page 40. And lastly, be sure not to miss David Hodges’ article on historic vacation destinations for Columbia residents … and give thanks that, despite lingering COVID restrictions, travel is not nearly the hassle it used to be!
Wishing you a delightful start to summer!
Sincerely,
Margaret Clay
