Hobby hooks generations

ST. MARYS - While Chuck Williams was growing up, fishing with his father was a treasured pastime.

Now as a father himself, he's carrying on the tradition by sharing his passion for fishing with his sons.

Williams, 28, grew up in St. Marys and has been fishing nearly as long as he can remember.

"My dad (Charles Williams) took me fishing all the time when I was young," he said. "It seems like I was born with a pole in my hands."

He continues to pursue fishing with the same passion as he did when he was a kid. Williams has two sons - Bentley, 10, and Charlie, 8, who share his love of fishing. Whether it's at Grand Lake or another fishing spot, the trio of anglers enjoy the outings.

As might be expected, Williams and his sons will make fishing part of their Father's Day activities. He said they will be visiting his father in Lima and go fishing at a reservoir.

In addition to fishing with his dad three or four times a week as a child, Williams said he had spent the other days fishing in the Miami-Erie Canal, which was a couple of blocks from his Spruce Street home.

He also had another family tie to fishing at Grand Lake as his great-grandparents, Bill and Helen Black owned Windy Point Marina for many years.

He recalls spending time at the marina when he was a kid.

The introduction to fishing has come in stages for Williams's sons.

"You start them on bluegill and then progress into other fish," he said, noting his eldest son has advanced into bass fishing.

Earlier this week during an outing at East Bank Park, the brothers patiently made repeated casts in pursuit of a bass.

"He (his dad) taught us how to cast and reel in (the lure)," Bentley said. "I like to cast out and catch fish."

For Charlie, it's the sudden realization of having a fish on the line that brings the most excitement.

"I like to see the bobber go down and you know you have a fish," the younger brother said.

Williams said while he likes to catch fish himself, his greatest thrill comes when his sons land a whopper.

"I really like watching them catch fish," he said.

Williams and his sons agree they enjoy sharing in the sport together.

Williams works at the St. Marys Bait shop on Celina Road, which keeps him in the loop of where the fish are biting.

"I know all the best spots," he said. "People come into the shop and talk - and I listen."

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a boon to fishing at Grand Lake since the stay-at-home order didn't ban fishing.

"I never saw the lake so busy," he said. "It was nice to see everyone out fishing instead of saying the lake is crappy."

Williams said he has seen a marked improvement in the water quality of Grand Lake in recent years.

"The lake is way, way, way cleaner," he said.

During the years when activity at the lake dwindled due algal blooms, it did result in better fishing, Williams said.

"Because no one came to the lake, the bass got so much bigger and the crappies got bigger," he explained

Williams said his fiancee, Ashley Voisin, occasionally joins them on fishing trips. He said a third son, Connor, 5, will learn the family tradition soon.