Ted Williams, From the Sports Illustrated Archives

January 2, 2006 By: Marshall Cutchin

Ted Williams cooks early-morning eggs for the media and delivers trademark barbs in this fine piece by John Underwood from August 21, 1967’s Sports Illustrated. Reading the piece, you realize that there was an awful lot known about how — and how not — to catch tarpon on flies even in the mid-60s. “‘It’s a medium-size fish . . . about 50, 60 pounds. . . . When he rolls, that’s the time to put on the pressure. If you can turn him there, it takes a lot out of him. If he jumps, get on him again. . . See how I lighten the drag when it’s under the boat? Watch, now, he’ll jump. When I say, “Now,” be ready to shoot. Now!'”