Bulloch-Statewide-Unknown County GaArchives News.....Outdoor Fishing Supper Brings Fishing Trip to Ideal End August 17, 1943 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Francesca Henle-Taylor henle@fmfproductions.com December 2, 2011, 6:18 am Augusta Chronicle August 17, 1943 Day on Ogeechee River and Backyard Fish-Fry at Statesboro make Chronicle Reporter’s Dreams Come True By John F. Battle, Jr. Augusta Chronicle August 17, 1943 From the hot steaming jungles of the Ogeechee river swamp, below Rocky Ford, to a delightfully cool backyard, miles away from the river, where fried Red Breast and Bass, done to a queen’s taste by master cooks, is something a fisherman dreams of. This time, however, the dream came true. I was there. Although my contribution to the day’s catch of the finny tribe was rather negligible they at least helped sweeten the pot. This trip of all trips took place last week. Earl DeLoach, who conducts a fishing column in the Chronicle, had often ‘sounded off’ about such doings after a trip to the river and to check up on this tail tale I enveigled him to take me along. DOWN IN SWAMP We left Augusta around 4 o’clock and shortly after dawn I was deposited at a spot on the river many miles away from a city. It was cool and peaceful. The wild life of the swamps was beginning to move about. Overhead the great white cranes floated lazily while here and there wild duck moved swiftly to places in the backwaters of the swamp. At the river’s edge were tracks of marauding coon. He had slipped down to the water’s edge just before dawn to snare any fish that might be lying against the bank, or cruising about for smaller fish. Tiny fish were darting across the water while beneath low hanging willows big bass were splashing about for their morning meal. The birds of the air, the animals of the swamp and the inhabitants of the dark waters of the great river were on the move. It was a great experience for a city dweller. At that time of the morning, deep in a huge swamp where quiet and peace reigned, with the majestic works of nature all about, made one feel rich to be alive and able to participate in the awakening of a world at dawn. The only disquieting thought was the war overseas. Here on this same spot where I stood probably had trod Screven and Bulloch county boys now in the service. These boys are serving and dying that a guy like myself can enjoy such richness. That peace and contentment that I felt that morning is what those boys are fighting to preserve. A chance to again roam the swamp and long stretch of the river. Those were my thoughts as I went about that beautiful river during that day, especially when I would stop at some point and gaze out into the high cypress trees gently swaying in the breeze. FISHING STORIES My thoughts, however, were quickly interrupted by fishermen coming down the big river, some casting fly fishing and others pitching. Time for me to get busy and land some fish, or else my companion, DeLoach, way down the river with Bob Mills his paddler, would do some tall kidding. Well, all I have to say, is that I was in strange territory, batting on a strange diamond and couldn’t quite get my eye on the ball. All which means that I only caught two Red Breast, but boy, they were good ones. DeLoach and Mills soon hove into view. Yes, they had ‘em, bass and Red Breast. DeLoach was fly-fishing, and how that guy can handle a fly rod. We wound up the day with 27 red breast and bass. He had 24 of them. I always prided myself on the art of handling a cane pole, and have been rather successful in catching my share, but maybe I did too much day dreaming. Anyway I left the river and swamp feeling fine. We headed towards Portal. DeLoach said that we would wind up in Statesboro that night for supper. I thought we were just going over to some neighbor’s house for a little snack and then back to Portal and bed. I had the surprise of my life awaiting me. On reaching Portal I was introduced to Earl’s aunt and uncle. Mrs. John E. Sanders and A. L. “Uncle Finnie” DeLoach. Two fine folks. Real honest to goodness Georgia country people. We placed the fish in the car, that is Mrs. Saunders did and away to Statesboro we went, a few miles from Portal. AT STATESBORO On arriving at Statesboro we pulled up at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Zetterower, where we were told that we would have supper. We went out into the backyard and there before us, under big pecan trees and electric lights, was an outdoor oven and a table, around which were chairs for the guests. Pretty soon smoke started issuing from that oven pipe and the hosts started cleaning fish. I was about to partake in that outdoor fish supper that DeLoach had so often spoke about, but which I didn’t believe. Pretty soon the fish were cleaned, and Mr. Zetterower (Uncle Josh) had a pan full of grease flavored with bacon strips ready. In a few minutes the smell of frying fish drifted about the spacious yard. At 9 p.m., I sat myself down to one of the finest fish suppers I have ever had. It made one think that just across that yard over there was the river. The atmosphere, the friendly folks and the big open country just a short distance away made one feel that such a setting was too good to be true, but there we were, diving into those fish and “hush puppies,” (fried cornbred with sliced-up onions), and good coffee. It was a great day. The end of a peaceful dream. Would that all mankind could take a day off like that one and we would have no wars, no rumors of wars. Those at the table that night besides the hosts were invited guests and helped make the day a success for two old newspapermen who sometimes become so hard and callused that we would bet that the sun isn’t shining when the temperature is around 100. These guests were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edenfield, Miss Jeanette DeLoach; Mrs. Mary Winn, and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Brannn, the next-door neighbors, who helped cook and clean the fish, and also daughter and son-in- law of Mr. and Mrs. Zetterower. Additional Comments: NOTES: Spelling left as in original article. Cast of Characters: John F. Battle, Jr. Earl DeLoach [Earl Tyler DeLoach] Bill Miller Mrs. John E. Sanders (Saunders) – Aunt of Earl DeLoach A. L. ‘Uncle Finnie’ DeLoach – Uncle of Earl DeLoach Mr. J. J. ‘Uncle Josh’ Zetterower Mrs. J. J. Zetterower Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edenfield Miss Jeanette DeLoach Mrs. Mary Winn Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd (Brannen), the next-door neighbors, who helped cook and clean the fish, and also daughter and son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Zetterower [Lloyd A. Brannen (1898 - 1971) – Arleene Zetterower Brannen (1903 – 1966)] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/bulloch/newspapers/outdoorf3174nw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb