1953 Stuart Fishing Guide, courtesy of Sandra Henderson Thurlow, Thurlow Archives.I think for this Friday’s blog post, I will keep it short as the words of the late Ernest Lyons resonate for themselves, especially for those of us who knew our waters in better days. This poetic piece fills one with inspiration to see healthy waters once again, but reminds us, that in spite of all our troubles, the force of beauty remains.
In her email to me ~sharing this piece, my mother simply wrote:
“This was in a 1953 Fishing Guide. The man in the photo is Capt. Francis A. Adams. Ernie surely could write. He never went to church but….” Mom
Enjoy.
The Fisherman, by Ernest Lyons
His is a measure of the peace that comes to the man of wide waters and in quiet places. Clouds, sea, and rain, the wind and sun accept him into their company.
He sees the creatures that the Lord hath wrought in the deeps…the sawfish with its armored flail, the remora with sucking cups atop its head to fasten onto shark or ray, the mullet always fleeing. He feels the presence of creation’s magic close at hand.
He knows the beauty of the morning and bright fullness of the day upon the sea and rivers. He sees the swift and dreadful, the timid, and the fierce. And within him there is wonder that such miracles should be.
Biography, Ernest Lyons: http://www.flpress.com/node/63
Sandra Henderson Thurlow, local historian: http://www.sandrathurlow.com
I wish I had spelled Francis right. Capt. Francis A. Adams, the “grand old patriot” died in 1975 at 101. He served during the Spanish American War . A park and a monument honoring him is beside “Confusion Corner” in the middle of Stuart.
I thought that was him!
And the discharges continue today down the St. Lucie Canal which Ernie begged them never to dig. The Corps of Engineers is the worst enemy of the environment than any industry ever was. And the City of Stuart is still sitting on its hands. Smart of you not to build on the black river. But I was hoping you would get on the City Commission and fight for the River. The state and federal politicians don’t care. It’s all talk, just like the last 60 years.
Mac Stuckey
Water is high in the lagoon right now. Manitee grass —turtle grass and macroalgae are heaping up high on coquina that was pulled out of the lagoon to make sea walls many years ago. Their reaction with the coquina will complete the cycle naturaly the way it has throughout the centuries. What could happen is when water level drops storms could pile it up in pockets and stink up everything. Then I will have to do something. The day after red tide millions of mullet migrated out to sea and fishermen were catching redfish after redfish on north jetty when I left. All the creatures are fat from a big sea grass food supply.Next year there will be a new generation of manitee comming on. A book could be written on the inportance of this peacefull intelagent creatures role in the environment.
He had a good way with words and beautiful thoughts and subjects. Thank you Jacqui Thurlow-Lippish and family gor sharing great history and stories.
Septic tank drain fields have calcium carbonate rocks around perforated pipes. What this calcium carbonate does is make it where plants can absorb the nutriants. A healthy septic tank will produce a healthy grass lawn. Lagoon used to do the same thing . All the pee and poop would wash to shore and churn in calcium carbonate “shell” makeing it where plants can absorb the nutriants and create a big healthy grass flat.You let our corrupt state government get involved with their bought off scientest and lieing media you will have brainwashed little kids telling their parents that their septic tanks are killing the lagoon.