The History of Sportfishing with Michael Fowlkes

The history of subsistence fishing is the history of humans. Fish have alway fed humanity and helped it thrive, and while we are sure our ancestors shouted with excitement when catching dinner, the name of the game has been survival. Fishing is still about subsistence in much of the world, but relatively recently in human history, fishing has become more about the thrill.

The History of Sportfishing, is a documentary series following the birth and development of rod and reel sportfishing. The series starts with the first tarpon caught on rod and reel, to the first 1,000 pound marlin caught on conventional tackle and explores some of the biggest names and personalities in the industry like: Johnny Morris, Bill Dance, April Vokey, Flip Pallot, Ray Scott and more.

The series creator and director, Michael Fowlkes is a lifelong angler and professional captain turned filmmaker. We had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Fowlkes to talk about his historical series and how he translated his passion onto film.

Fishbrain: What led you to become a documentary filmmaker? 

Michael Fowlkes:  I knew I didn't want to punch a clock for the rest of my life. In college I signed up for and took an 8mm film class.  That’s when I had the epiphany. “What I want to do is put images on that screen.”

I knew that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

FIB: What’s your backstory and relationship with fishing?

MF: I was born and raised in the foothills of Virginia where there was a little pond two blocks from my grandparents house. I would spend the whole day trying to catch goldfish and I was maybe five

I moved to Southern California when I was nine and started working on sport boats at that early age. I was cleaning boats, rigging lines, and cleaning the galley. I was trading fishing time for work. I fileted fish and sold them around my neighborhood for 25 cents a filet. I never really left fishing through high school, but wasn’t doing it as much.

FIB: So how did a passion for fishing get intertwined with a passion for fishing?

MF: So after my film classes I got a job in LA as a production assistant for the Showtime network, where I worked my way up to producer. One day I’m stuck in LA traffic next to a diesel truck. I'm breathing diesel fumes and not going anywhere and thinking all I want to do is go fishing. That’s when I had the epiphany to buy a charter boat and get my Captain’s license. 

I bought a boat and got my license and for the first seven months I only spent seven nights in my bed at home. The rest of the time was on the boat. 

My second trip as a licensed captain was a memorable one. It was rough, stormy, weather with thunder clouds, raining and six foot swells. 

It was an overnight trip and at midnight someone was screaming “where’s the judge?” Sure enough there was one client who wasn’t there. There was no moon so visibility was almost impossible. We double backed what seemed like a miracle, we found him in the water and saved his life. The coast guard later said it was a one in a million chance we found him in those conditions.

The lost fisherman turned out to be a superior court justice of appeals for California.

FIB: So where did the idea for a documentary series stem from? 

MF: So I’ve always loved fishing, obviously. Thirty, or forty years ago my mom said I should have a hobby. That I should collect something. So I started collecting antique rods and reels and my collection grew and grew.

Inspired by classic surf film Endless Summer, I then began collecting old  fishing films, as well.

I have a film with the first swordfish and tuna caught on rod and reel in

Then I found the Original 35mm film of Zane Gray fishing in Australia, Tahiti and New Zealand. The footage is of the first 1,000 pound black marlin caught on rod and reel.

This series is a culmination of my life's experiences, work and passion.

FIB: What messages did you want to convey to viewers regarding the sports history and importance to you?

MF: This is a series that celebrates the sport of fishing at its core and how the sport has evolved from an act of survival to a recreational activity. 

It celebrates how recreational anglers have been the stewards of the ocean since the 1800s

I wanted to show people who don’t fish how wonderful of a sport it is and how it binds families together. 

Hopefully this film series educates people how wonderful this sport is and how great of a gift it is for your kids It's a gift that will continue to give all through your child’s life

I really think the responsibility we have today is passing the baton to the next generation.

FIB: Is the series just about fishing, or can you give us a preview about any other topics that might transcend fishing?

MF: The most interesting sub plot in the series is how outside Philly in 1732 the Schuylkill fishing club was founded. Writers of the constitution and Declaration of Independence were all members of this club and it was how some of the founding fathers met. The club was used as a cover, however, under the guise of fishing so they could discuss independence. If the British, or loyalists, found out about their meetings under any other circumstances, it could have ended in death for them. 

FIB: We know that you’ve put the meaning of fishing to film, but can you convey what fishing does to a person in your own words?

FIB: Fishing is more than the fish, and it's more than the catch. A lot of new anglers are looking at fishing through the lens of social media glorification and product placement. What would you say to this generation of new anglers who are seeing fishing portrayed as it is now?

MF: We aren't selling a rod and reel, we are selling the legacy of sportfishing. We are honoring the past and preserving the future for generations to come

I'm honored and humbled to give back to this sport that has given me so much.

If you live and breathe for the greatest sport in the world and want to learn more about your roots and founding fishing fathers and mothers, The History of Sportfishing is a must watch.

You can learn more about Michael Fowlkes and find his complete series The History of Sportfishing on his website here.

Now let's go fishing. We'll bring The History of Sportfishing.

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