Alfred Williams

RIDGELAND, Miss. – There were no race-based signs posted along Mississippi’s Pearl River in the early 1950s, where a 6-year-old African-American boy, his mother, and grandmother would congregate with fellow fishermen and women who were blind to color. 

“When we used to go fishing we would have groups go of all races down on the river,” recalled Alfred Williams, who became the first African-American to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic in 1983.

The Pearl River, the main waterway leading to Ross Barnett Reservoir, was a place where racial barriers were washed away. There would be up to a dozen people lining the river’s edge. The fish were shared and bread was broken. 

“Together the whole group, black and white, would catch as many fish as we could to put food on the table.”

The fish did not always jump on young Alfred’s hook. After struggling for a day, searching for a tug on his cane pole from channel cats, an older white gentleman walked up to him and said, “This is the hole you should be fishing in, I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.”

Just as the blues bridged a soulful sound between musicians of different races, a cane pole and a little advice would have Alfred Williams in tune.

“Fishing was a way of bringing people together in a time of racial tension,” said Williams, now 70 years old. “We were able to socialize with people that we might not else see in public.”

In the eight years separating his first tournament and his Bassmaster Classic bid, Williams notched 10 top 10 finishes in tournaments with fields of more than 50-boats and upwards of 300.

Williams went on to become the first full-time touring African-American bass angler, fishing both Bassmaster and FLW tournaments, and receiving a full sponsorship from Ranger boats from 1988 through 2003.

“I’ve always been treated with respect in the bass fishing community. 

“…And the fish, well, they don’t care if you’re black or white.” 

https://www.bassmaster.com/news/ross-barnett-legend-alfred-williams