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David Sikes David Sikes, Caller-Times outdoors writer specializes in hunting and fishing. David's columns are published Thursdays and Sundays. David also compiles a fishing report on Saturdays. He can be reached at sikesd@caller.com. Sunday, October 21, 2001 A life of fishing, Texas styleRoy Williams has spent most of his 72 years stalking the coastal flats of Texas and he’s put some of what he’s learned in writing
This is about one man's journey through the coastal flats of Texas and the things he learned along the way. This is about his desire to impart those observations so that others may share what he has found. This also is about what should become part of the legacy of Roy Williams, a man who wants everyone to see coastal fishing through his eyes. No doubt, Williams' 72 years, most of which was spent as a professional engineer, an engineering professor at the University of Houston and as a saltwater angler, have given him ample fodder for a catalogue of observations. But many old anglers don't have a book in them. This educator/conservationist's discerning eye and remarkable patience, combined with countless hours wading seagrass and sand flats while fishing and photographing nature's offerings, is evident on the pages of his book, "Getting Hooked on the Flats, Texas Style." What may not be as obvious is that Williams is not a fly-fishing purist. He just enjoys being on the water and catching fish, in that order. Thrills for him may vary with different tools, but not much.
He's just an old fisherman, generous and likable, as many of us aspire to become. That, however, wasn't clear when we met. I first knew Williams as a passionate protector of anglers' rights. He was one of the more outspoken opponents of a state plan to preserve the Coastal Bend's seagrass beds by restricting or rerouting boat traffic in his playground. His fire defied his physical stature and his otherwise unassuming presence. But Williams' ability to set aside his preconceptions, listen objectively and weigh issues rationally eventually resulted in a vocal seat on the state's Seagrass Task Force, which hammered out a plan he deems reasonable in light of looming threats to turtle grass beds in and around Redfish Bay. But this is not what his book is about. He writes in plain speak about fishing the tides and moon phases, how to recognize fish-holding water and generally when and how to zig when nature zags. He mentions local fishing spots, as well as others from Port O'Connor to Brownsville. It's a good beginner's manual.
Months after gaining respect for Williams as a man of humility and conviction at seagrass meetings, we stepped onto the flats together. Fishing with experienced anglers truly is one of life's greatest joys for me. To watch this man stalk the flats is not unlike the intensity and stealth I've observed in a handful of other skilled anglers, each of whom I admire. What sets Williams and a few others apart is their ability to convey the nuances of angling circumstance and to articulate the complimentary methods to counter those conditions. With him, I caught my fourth redfish on the fly. Even fewer angling technicians have the burning desire to broadcast what they know. Secrecy is rampant in fishing. But Williams will teach to anyone who will listen. Rockport guide Jay Watkins also possesses this desire. Most of the fishing information Williams imparts in his book is less
For readers who believe that knowing weight and sink rates of flies will make them better anglers - an exclusive group, I imagine - Williams has a chapter for them. Feel free to skim through it as I did. There's also a chapter on birding, which includes information on public and private sites along the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. But it's mostly about fishing. Part of the fun of fishing to me is the trial and error element. I suppose relative weights and sink rates of lures could come into play. But success is sweeter for me when I'm forced to zero in on a method and bait, then apply what I learned another day for similar results.
I only bring two or three different flies with me on those rare fly-fishing trips. I'm certainly not to weigh these. Williams is an engineer though, always meticulous and prepared. So he invented a beam scale for weighing the flies he ties. This helps him choose the right fly to use in conditions and for different species. You can find Williams' flies at One Shot Outdoors fly shop in San Antonio and in the boxes of several noted fly fishers. But fly-tying is really just a hobby for him. A section of the book is dedicated to Williams' favorite flies, with photos of each and step-by-step instructions on tying.
Much of the 64-page volume provides useful information for local anglers, or general information for shallow-water anglers, no matter their choice of tackle. Throughout the book, Williams provides sources, such as Websites, phone numbers and other reference material for pertinent information not covered or only touched on in the book. As a companion, I suggest purchasing the book, "Practical Fishing Knots," by Mark Socin, Lefty Krey and Rod Walinchus.
Though Williams recommends this knot-tying book highly, his own knot-tying expertise comes from lessons learned as a Boy Scout, yet another reason I respect and admire him. I never could remember how to tie a bowline. Talk about fishing in the Coastal Bend
Outdoors writer David Sikes' column appears Thursdays and Sundays. He can be reached at 886-3616 or by e-mail at sikesd@caller.com 
© 2000 Corpus Christi Caller Times, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved. |
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