Crossing the causeway at Huntington Beach State Park, travelers take a left at the junction to visit the beach. Adjacent to the parking lot is a historical marker that intrigued me the first time I saw it. The marker describes the background history of the Hot and Hot Fish Club. I think the name is the greatest, and I am willing to state this was one of the first fish camps to exist in South Carolina. Established in All Saint’s Parish, the club was a retreat for the merchants of the day. Legends abound about the “character” of the club, and while I assume the first hot referred to the food, the second is left to the imagination …
South Carolina’s modern fish camps started along the Catawba River in the 1930s. Located along the river’s banks, camps were established where folks could fish, cook their catch, and camp out. Camps gradually emerged along the many rivers and lakes of South Carolina. On the coast, fish camps were set up along the beaches, and some smaller private camps were located on marsh hammocks, which are islands of high ground within wetlands. Simple shed structures protected the campers from the elements on overnight stays. Fish camps in the upstate led the gradual conversion of fish camps to fresh and saltwater seafood restaurants.
One fine day, I traveled to North Augusta to visit Old McDonald Fish Camp. A full seafood restaurant, the parking lot filled up fast and the line at the door was already 50 people deep, 30 minutes before opening. I met with the owners, Janice and Jay Bass, who allowed me to photograph the many items of nostalgia that made the restaurant even more enjoyable. With seating for more than 250 people, the restaurant was filling with hungry patrons, and I moved around quickly snapping photos before placing an order of catfish. Almost every fish camp practice is to fry fish coated with cornmeal, and the side items are always hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. When the plate came to my table, I was excited to also see shrimp, fried oysters, and crabcakes on the house.
Another day I pulled up to a local fish camp in the Columbia area, and I knew I was visiting a unique location before even parking my car. I counted several small cabins, a camp store, and other nearby RV vehicles. I met with the owner, who gave me permission to return for photos and an interview. However, he asked me not to mention his name or location due to the overwhelming use of his boat launch ramp. “People come here to launch their boats, and my parking lot fills to where my camp guests can’t find parking.”
Walking inside the camp store, I saw lures, fishing flies, crackers, sodas, and plastic worms in all colors. If anyone left anything at home, this store saves the day. Campers can even gas up their boat on the dock outside. I visited the small cabins to see what they were like inside. Simply decorated, the bed took up most of the room, and the only other modern convenience was a microwave. Fishing requires little comforts of home for a full day on the water. Modern living was closing in on the camp’s location — across the cove, large brick homes were crammed together. I know the pressure of making a living from a camp sitting on valuable land must grow by the day. I drove off, realizing what a treasure I had the pleasure to visit.
Two years ago, Lori and Matt Miceli took the plunge and bought Black’s Fish Camp. Established in 1951, Black’s Camp is located on the largest lake system in South Carolina. Lakes Marion and Moultrie comprise the Santee Cooper Reservoir, home to stripers, crappy, largemouth bass, and “monster” catfish. Lori and Matt have a full plate of duties running the camp restaurant, camp store, and RV park, as well as hosting some fine rooms for overnight stays. Black’s is the largest fish camp on the lakes, and several guide services are based at the camp. Visitors from foreign countries visit Black’s to enjoy the fish camp experience and experience genuine South Carolina hospitality. “We see happy people — that’s one of the benefits of running a fish camp,” Matt says.
I don’t think anyone would be surprised to know that the “classic” fish camps we saw decades ago are endangered by development, sky-high land prices, inflation, regulations, and modern conveniences, making the fish camps of yesteryear a rare site in South Carolina. When I was young, I fished for largemouth bass on our farm pond. I would hit the pond at sunrise, armed with a Zebco 202. Using purple worms, I would take home the larger fish I’d caught to clean and cook. Only my father and I ate the fish.
Matt told me his favorite times are when he can take a second to look away and enjoy what is in right front of him — stunning nature, turtles, alligators, and birds. Get out and enjoy a fish camp while you can. Eating a delicious dinner, meeting some down-to-earth folks, and relishing the great outdoors beckon you to visit.