Contents
Story
Decoys
Credits
🟡 LIMITED RESEARCH VOLUME
OWNERS
Grady Sheets
WWII era and post war
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
Ted Williams
LOCATION
Drum Inlet and Portsmouth areas
Story
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Fishing Buddies
In earlier years, Uncle Grady Sheets “was a pioneer for Drum fishing”, catching thousands during the depression. He never caught one over 43 pounds–?why?—but he boasted cheerily that “he could lay his bait on the sand and catch Drum”. Living in Winston-Salem, where Grady ran a combo upholstery shop and Evinrude/Glastron boat dealership, Greg remembers the walls of the rectangular structure generously decorated with fishing pictures. Many of the photos showed Grady and friend, Ted Williams, on their many Drum Inlet and Portsmouth fishing trips.
Ted Williams was an avid fisherman who had left his professional career for the war effort and was stationed at Cherry Point, as a pilot during part of his 3 year stint in World War II, Greg remembers. Williams was aware of the reputation of Grady Sheets for Drum as he and a friend flew a Piper Cub to the fishing grounds where he saw a Model A Ford “beach buggy” near the surf and five large Drum laid out alongside. After landing, Williams went to the fisherman and introduced himself–beginning a rich relationship. They fished together often.
Greg, who provided this info, met Williams as a youth and was given a signed ball. Greg went on to love fishing as did Grady.
Grady Sheets also fished with Charlie Vellines, and on this day, Governor Luther B. Hodges at Portsmouth.
Greg , himself, later began a tradition of a yearly two week fishing trip to the Banks that spanned 45 years. Initially at Ocracoke and Portsmouth, including “Vera Cruz Island” (low and changing, lying between Ocracoke and Portsmouth), then for most of those years, they fished from a base at Don Morris’ Long Point Cabins.
Credits
- Greg Sheets interview-
- Clifton Noe photo collection
- Other references within text