A Fishy Tiny Lund Surprise Re-Airs New Years Eve

In one particular respect I am fortunate to live in Charlotte, nearly straddling the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. All of the cable systems, satellite systems, as well as over the air channels in this television market carry both the programming of North Carolina and South Carolina Public Television.

I had settled back in the recliner on Thursday night to watch a South Carolina ETV special on one of my favorite South Carolina series named Southern Lens. The program being offerred up was titled LANDLOCKED . It was the story of how the previously salt water Striped Bass (Rockfish) came to populate the fresh water Santee-Cooper lakes of South Carolina beginning in the WWII era.

It was an excellent show and I highly recommend it. It is available on both DVD and a rebroadcast that will take place on New Years Eve at 8:00 p.m.

What, you are probably asking, does this have to do with stock car racing? Think back and you will remember that 1963 Daytona 500 champion, Tiny Lund used to operate a "Fish Camp" out of Cross, South Carolina in the 1960s.

Well, smack dab in the middle of this excellent television documentary, was a clip taken from a early 1960s color film produced by the South Crolina Tourism Agency to promote fishing. It featured another of my late heroes, Franc White , the "Southern Sportsman " taking a New Englander fishing in one of the Santee-Cooper Lakes. White would later own several restaurants in eastern North Carolina featuring wild game and wild fish. For 25 years, from 1972-1996, White's "Southern Sportsman" television program ran on 34 television stations in 17 states, including WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina, where it was produced. White used to fly around in a black & white zebra striped airplane fishing and hunting. He also demonstrated how to cook what he caught. I can still remember the Grady White boat ads and House-Autry cornmeal ads from that show.

Anyhow, as Franc White escorted his New England friend into the boat in the old 1960s South Carolina Tourism film clip used in the show, it was suddenly apparent to me that the fishing guide was none other than Tiny Lund , even though he wasn't identified. I saw Lund again a second time later in the program - again not identified. It was a neat and unexpected treat during a really good show. Hope some of you good folks can catch it. Here's the news release publicizing the show:

South Carolina Striped Bass has Fishy History

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2012

Few states can claim they created their own fish, but thats the fish tale when Landlocked: How South Carolina Made Fishing History makes its television debut on South Carolina ETV Thursday, December 27 at 9:00 p.m.

The story starts in 1933, when 93% of rural South Carolinians lived without electricity. Federal funds were used construct 40 miles of dams and dikes in the largest land clearing project in U.S. history at the time.

The completed dams trapped thousands of ocean striped bass, which were not expected to flourish in their new environment. But nature had another plan; the fish adapted to fresh water and became a lucrative tourist attraction.

Fishing for stripers generates millions of dollars in revenue for the state each year. Its one of Americas greatest fighting fish and it all started 70 years ago, right here in South Carolina, said executive producer Rich King.

The striped bass was designated the official South Carolina state fish in 1972, with the record largest catch being a 63-pound striper from Lake Russell caught in 2009. The striped bass has caught on, becoming one of Americas most popular game fish that can now be found in freshwater in 36 other states.

An Encore broadcast of Landlocked: How South Carolina Made Fishing History is scheduled for New Years Eve at 8:00 p.m. on the South Carolina Channel.

Southern Lens is a showcase for independent film from and about the South, culled from film festivals and presented by South Carolina ETV. By turns warm, humorous, compelling, and heart-breaking, each film presents a place and time in Southern culture as seen through the eyes of one filmmaker.

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

###

For more information, contact Fran Johnson at (803) 737-6556 or fjohnson@scetv.org
OR contact Glenn Rawls at (803) 737-3337 or rawls@scetv.org.

"Rockfish" - one word and Striped Bass are one and the same fish. In 1965 it was named the State Fish of Maryland. When I was a kid in Richmond in the 50s, everyone headed to the Potomac River when the Rockfish ran. I think your Rock Bass must be a different and smaller fish.

I saw the Tiny Lund movie in Charlottesville< Virginia when it was released in 1967. I'd love to see it again. Amazing that no copy seems to exist that anyone will claim. I remember a scene from a Daytona Sportsman race where Tiny was ready to try to whip Curtis over an on track incident.

Here's a piece from the State of Maryland, with their photo:

Maryland Manual On-Line - www.mdmanual.net
MARYLAND AT A GLANCE
STATE SYMBOLS
Maryland State Fish - Rockfish (Striped Bass)

[photo, Rockfish catch (from Chesapeake Bay) of three fisherman, Severna Park, Maryland] The rockfish (Morone saxatilis) was named the official fish of the State of Maryland in 1965 (Chapter 513, Acts of 1965; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-304). Originally called Roccus saxatilis, scientists corrected the genus designation in the late 1960s.

Rockfish catch (from Chesapeake Bay) of three fisherman, Severn River, Severna Park, Maryland, April 2003. Photo by Jeffrey M. Seiss (the third fisherman).
In designating the State fish, the General Assembly prefaced the 1965 law by noting:

"Whereas, The people of Maryland as long time and appreciative residents of the productive Chesapeake Bay area know of it first hand the recreational and gastronomic delights of this wonderful land, and

Whereas, Not the least among the good reasons for living in Maryland is the abundant and unexcelled delicacy of the Chesapeake Bay striped bass or rockfish, and

Whereas, In the judgment of the members of the General Assembly of Maryland, it is a simple act of justice and of equity that this fine old Maryland fish should be honored by being designated as the official fish of the State of Maryland . . . "

Known for its size and fighting ability, the rockfish also is called striped bass. It has an olive green back, fading to light silver on its sides, with a white underside. Seven or eight dark, continuous stripes run from head to tail.

Adult rockfish swim in the ocean but lay their eggs in fresh water. Between April and June, rivers and streams feeding Chesapeake Bay provide spawning grounds for most Atlantic Coast rockfish. Those born in the Bay spend their first 3 to 5 years there before migrating out to the Atlantic, where their life span may be as long as 30 years.

Rockfish is considered by many to be the premier sport and commercial species on the Bay. The silver-flanked, irridescent-striped rockfish is a challenge to catch and a delight to eat. The current Maryland record for rockfish caught in Chesapeake Bay weighed in at 67 pounds, 8 ounces in 1995. Declining stocks, attributed to overfishing and pollution, forced Maryland to impose a moratorium on harvesting the species between 1985 and 1989.

To answer your first question, although Franc White lived in the Greenville, NC area, he was not the White of Grady-White Boats. There's a neat book and 50th Anniversary video at this link:

http://www.gradywhite.com/anniversary/

Franc White seemed to be very much a free spirit. I loved the obit reference to his last two ex-wives!

Franc White
July 20, 1926 - June 06, 2012

Obituary

Hookerton, NC - Franc White, 85, producer of the Southern Sportsman television show from 1972 to 1996, died June 6, 2012 at his home in Hookerton, NC. He worked as a B-25 Mitchell bomber mechanic; served in the 91st Mechanical Cavalry Recon Squadron in World War II; and also served in World War II as a correspondent for the Stars and Stripes in Italy. He was a private pilot, restaurateur, radio announcer, public relations manager, cookbook author, salesman, newspaper columnist, television weather and sports commentator, and artist.

However, he is best known as an expert outdoor sportsman, writer, and conservationist. He made the Southern Sportsman show an institution in households throughout the South and even as far as California for over 25 years. The show was unique in its appeal to every family member. Outdoor sportsmen saw their favorite pastime through the eyes of a man as adept with following birds and fish with a camera as he was with a shotgun and fishing rod. His show included one of the foremost live cooking segments on television, much to the benefit of his last two ex-wives . He was widely known as Julia Child of the Wild. The shows cooking segment and his recipe books especially appealed to his female viewers who were eager to learn how to prepare the days hunting and fishing prizes. He ended each show encouraging everyone to Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing. His guests included famous celebrities such as Joan Fontaine and Cale Yarborough as well as local sporting enthusiasts including their sons and daughters.

Although thousands have his cookbooks, tapes of his shows, and memories of Stalking the Wily Whelk, Goodbye, Little Tennessee, and the Poor Mans Tarpon, few are aware of the extent of his conservation and environmental efforts. He successfully stopped commercialization on many of the Carolina islands, one of which was the last nesting ground for some Atlantic sea turtles. He uncovered and publicly denounced some chemical plants freely draining millions of gallons of water from NC aquifers; factories dumping pollutants resulting in the denuding of mountain tops and forests; and manufacturing plants dumping sewage and byproducts that were ruining rivers and watersheds. He agonized over the loss in just half a century of so many natural resources and the deterioration of the planet - a loss he felt his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would probably never comprehend, yet have to endure.

Franc had an outstanding command of the English language and a keen sense of humor. At a family reunion he noted that his sister cut ham so thin it only had one side.

He did not want a funeral, visitation, or memorial. He wanted his ashes and those of his beloved dog, Fracas, strewn in the Linville River so the trout and his favorite sporting fish, smallmouth bass, can get even.

He is survived by his two daughters, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In 1966 Franc was named Conservation Educator of the Year by the N.C. Wildlife Federation, an organization he long supported. Franc and his family ask that in lieu of flowers or cards, please join them in launching the Franc White Legacy Fund for Conservation Education, contributions c/o N.C. Wildlife Federation at 1024 Washington St., Raleigh, NC 27605 or (800) 264-6293 or online at https://www.ncwf.org/support/honor.php .

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Goldsboro is serving the family of Franc White and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com .

WRAL-TV has an old episode of a 1993 Southern Sportsman show, but when I try to post it there is an error and I delete it. This is the clip I've had trouble posting:

Link to the clip I can't post:

http://www.wral.com/wral-tv/video/1416204/#/vid1416204

Note that the boat sponsor had changed by 1993. That dog food sponsor, Chatham, was based in Siler City, NC, home of "Winding" Wayne Andrews and family!

Thanks again for trying.

"Good Night, Mrs. Calabash... wherever you are!"

Humor...in education...will get me everytime! And, Dave always seems to be in the right place at the right time, am I the only one that has noticed that. Must be his calling...such a blessing, Dave!

All of this sounds "Fishy" too me! lol

i remember tiny lund raced at wilson nc and the next weekend he ran at talledega where he lost his life

Dave, Thanks for posting this. I had not heard that Franc White had passed. I remember back when my dad, brother and I watched his show every Sunday morning in Petersburg. We always enjoyed watching it. Franc White seemed so easy going on TV, he was a natural. Heck we even started using House-Autry products becuase of him. Happy New Year.......

How 'bout that Dave! Chatham Mills ran along the railroad track thru Siler City and took up over half a block. Now days it is an empty lot. Level ground from the tracks to the back of the buildings on Main Street. Other than the pet food produced there it was known for the smell and the rats. Locals did not notice the odor, used to it I guess, but anyone from out of town would always comment on it. The folks that worked there said it smelled like money. I've heard many tales about the size of the rats that were found there. With that kind of food supply many of them grew bigger than a possum. Heard tales of rats as big as small dogs but never saw one myself. Always thought they were like fishing stories, they get bigger every time the story is told.

The House of Autry helped sponsor a late model driven by Stephen Grimes at Caraway about the time that video was made. He won track championships in mini stock and late model. Everyone calls him "Grimmie" because as a kid he helped his dad at his recapping business and would get that carbon black from head to toe.