Of course, by the yardsticks of a vast army of admiring readers he has been a famous fisherman—and shooter, and writer, and humorist—for more years than most of those readers have walked the earth. But Charley is the expert, so let’s not argue. Let’s just allow him to explain his qualification:

Charles F. Waterman imparts some words of wisdom to FS Field Editor Steve Kantner.

“A sure ploy in the business of fame is growing older, actually a rather simple process. Speaking of ‘the old days’ sets one apart from Johnny-come-lately fishermen, no matter how advanced or scientific their methods. It is widely known that the old days were much better, having more and larger fish. And the older the days, the less accurate need be reports concerning them.”

Those are but a handful of the countless thousands of juicy words Charles F. Waterman has penned for Florida Sportsman during the past 35 years.

Is Charley really all that old? Well, I have experienced quite a few old days of my own, but when I sold my first article to a national magazine, just about 50 years ago, Charley already was a frequent contributor to that same magazine, and several others as well.

By the time Florida Sportsman was founded in 1969, Charley held rank among the best-known outdoor writers in the country, due largely to his all-around expertise, combined with an enviable writing style trademarked by deft application of unforced humor that kept readers chuckling without ever detracting from his topic. Still, his nationwide recognition was due just as much to the fact that his material was truly national in scope. For many years Charley and his petite wife Debie spent about half the year in Florida and the other half out West, and while making their semi-annual migrations, were constantly conspiring to fish and hunt over most of the territory in between. Simultaneously, Charley somehow managed to devote enough time to the typewriter to turn out a steady stream of magazine articles and numerous books on many outdoor subjects.

Upon our founding, Charley, long acknowledged as one of the leading gun experts in the country, became Florida Sportsman’ s shooting editor and conducted his splendid “Guns and Game” department until 1985, when the scope of the column was broadened to include whatever subjects Charley chose. His gems have brightened nearly every issue from that time to this. Now, Charley’s long, long run of monthly columns featuring his truly unique touch comes to an end, though readers can count on opportunities to revisit many of his works on-line at www.floridasportsman.com.

In his long and distinguished career, Charley Waterman has forgotten more hunting and fishing lore than most of us ever learned. But even he could never absorb it all. He once said that in the world of outdoor sports there is only one statement that can be made without fear of contradiction:

“Fishing was good yesterday and it will be good again tomorrow.”

FS