Those Were The Days: The Life & Times of a Florida Keys Fishing Guide

George Hommell Jr. shares a remarkable memoir surrounding his life and adventures as a Florida Keys fishing guide, and trailblazer in the world of flats fishing.

A pioneer in a bygone era, Hommell helped perfect the techniques and ethics of flats fishing and raising awareness of conservation needs, as well as rules and regulations, through both guiding and World Wide Sportsman, the business he cofounded. A fishing guide extraordinaire, he was sought by numerous celebrities including Jack Nicklaus, Ted Williams, and the man that would become his lifelong friend and fishing partner, President George H. W. Bush.

These lighthearted stories capture the heart and soul of an honest man with an adventurous spirit and a deep respect for the environment in which he worked. Whether facing sunny skies or sudden heavy storms, he learned how to map the best times and places to find fish in the vast Everglades and Florida Bay, giving his clients the best experience and the opportunity to catch loads of fish.

For fans of Lefty Kreh, Stu Apte, and Flip Pallot, these honest and often humorous true tales will inspire you to get out on a boat and cast a line.

George F. Hommell Jr. was born in Haines Falls, New York, in 1925. He served in two wars and later moved to Islamorada, Florida, in 1945.

Hommell was a pioneer, helping to evolve flats fishing into what it is today. An early champion of fishing conservation and ethics, he was a founding member of several organizations, including the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and chaired the president's committee on protecting the nation's marine resources. Not only a highly sought-after fishing guide by avid fishermen and well-known public figures alike, he cofounded World Wide Sportsman, one of the great landmarks in the Florida Keys. In 2015, George was inducted posthumously into the International Game Fish Association's Hall of Fame.

M.E. Hommell-Chidiac, a freelance wildlife photographer and author, compiled and edited these stories with her father shortly before his passing, and has worked diligently to maintain his voice in the final publication.