As Adrian and Wanda raised their family, we spent a lot of time on and in water. The Fortenberry brothers had property first on Lake Jackson and then, once it was filled in the late 1950s, Lake Lanier. Everyone loved to catch fish and then have a fish fry. Please enjoy a walk through time as we catch a wide variety of (mostly) yummy fish.

Andie, Reggie, and Aunt Reggie holding two catfish and not really happy about it.

About 1951 at DeBelle Street house.

Same day as previous picture. Aunt Reggie, Reggie, Andie, and Raymond holding half his weight in fish!

Reggie has a strangle hold on a catfish and obviously not too happy about it. Because catfish are slippery, she has a tight hold and it looks like its belly is bulging!

Andie, Raymond, Reggie holding a lot of bream! Jackson Lake about 1952.

Andie and RaymondJackson Lake

About 1954

Bachie and Grandpa in our boat on Jackson Lake. Bachie never rode in a boat without having a rope to hold.

Linda and Barbara holding some nice sized catfish.Norman Road driveway about 1957

Andie holding bream, Aunt Reggie holding carp. Bachie loved to eat carp cooked in the oven with tomatoes (a Polish dish). Most of us thought it smelled and tasted awful! About 1958, Norman Road.

Barbara, Terry, and Aunt Reggie with a big mess of bream.Norman Road house in background.

Looks like same stringers of fish!This picture (and the one before) was taken July, 1958.

Wanda caught in the act of trying to catch some fish. Looks like someone (probably Adrian) is in the water trying to

untangle her snag. Lake Lanier, 1958

Terry, Linda, Grandpa, and Barbara. Terry holding a mix of fish, Grandpa holding carp. Norman Road, probably 1959.

Barbara and Grandpa Werbicki holding a gar. The next two pictures seem to be of the same gar.

Lake Lanier, about 1959

This gar was caught on a trotline run across the cove.

You can tell Adrian wasn’t thinking of eating this one!

Adrian holding two catfish. Norman Road, unknown year.

Grandpa Werbicki holding two catfish, maybe the same from the previous picture.

Barbara and Linda fishing with Grandpa and Wanda watching.

Lake Lanier, 1963

In 1964 or 1965, Adrian was fishing with his brother, Don, off a point in the Chestatee Bay area of Lake Lanier. In 45 minutes, he caught three large bass weighing 10 pounds, 9 pounds and 7 ½ pounds respectively. There was also a fourth fish that was much smaller. Don, who was also fishing, did not get any bites but used a net to help get Adrian’s fish to the boat. The two smaller fish were eaten but the two larger ones were mounted and are still members of our family. One lives with Cindy Schmidt and the other with Keith Fortenberry.

The whole famous catch.

Doesn’t he look proud!

The 10 pounder!

The end result of all that fishing was always the same. Lots of fish to eat and sometimes a few left over as in this picture! Here you see Adrian’s usual expression when surrounded by his children and grandchildren!

Picture taken about 1980.

As the family grew larger and larger, it became impossible to cook the fish and hushpuppies in the house. We needed a bigger production line! Adrian put aside a part of the lower greenhouse as an “outdoor” cooking area. In this picture, you can see Andie spooning hushpuppy batter into the fryer while Reggie and Adrian watch. Next to this large fryer was a gas grill that was used to keep the fish and hushpuppies warm as the batches were cooked. That grill was also used to cook some mighty fine steaks for Sunday lunches. Photo taken mid 1980s.

Daddy is fishin’And Grandpa is wishin’That fish weren’t this hard to catch!Did you spit on your hook?Are you set well and deep?Bait your line, throw it out, and watch!The water so smoothThe sky so blueWith nary a wrinkle today.Relax for the momentLet it float you awayYour battle for now is with fish!They hide in the trees sunk well deep belowThey lurk by the rocks near shoreThese clever fish have you guessing their gameSo be sure to teach your child to play!‘Quiet and stealthy’ Daddy would say‘Be patient and wait’ says GrandpaAn uncle advises ‘Use the right bait’And be sure your line is tight!Daddy is fishin’And Grandpa is wishin’These days would never endOf schools of shadOf drifting fogOf hushpuppies, coleslaw and fish!

Daddy is Fishin’Written by Terry Fortenberry