5/17/07

Manning native pens book, ‘Redfish on a Fly’
By Cathy Gilbert

Submitted Photo

Cmdr. Walter “Sonny” Dinkins will soon release his new book, Redfish on a Fly. This is the cover of his book.

When Manning native, Walter “Sonny” Dinkins is not busy leading the chaplaincy program with the Combined Joint Task Force at the Horn of Africa, he is busy being a redfish/fly fishing expert.

That is indeed an interesting combination of vocation and avocation!

According to Dinkins, his new book, Redfish on a Fly, will make its U.S. debut in about six weeks.

“The Library of Congress says that my book is only the second outdoors sportfishing book ever written on fly fishing for redfish in the USA!” said Dinkins in a recent e-mail to The Manning Times.

“(My book) speaks very highly of the South and North Carolina, Texas and Florida environmental studies on Redfish tagging and hatchery raised redfish programs, and is the most complete study ever done on flyfishing for Red Drum (Redfish) in the U.S.,” he said. “I spent three years researching and traveling, flyfishing all the nine major redfish states. People were amazing and most kind to me throughout my research and travels.”

Dinkins says there are a lot of lessons contained in his new book, written under the nom de plume of “Joe Guide.” Included are his travel notes, instruction on fly fishing casting, fly selection, as well as more environmental, research and biological information on this species than ever written previously on this noble sportsfish.

With his roots firmly planted in Manning and with much time spent flyfishing throughout the coastal areas of Charleston, and the ACE Basin, Dinkins is a natural expert on his sport.

“I talk about the top redfishing states throughout the country as well as flat boats, fly rod selection, accessories, and other fly fishing travels and locations that all who desire to know more about this great sportsfish will enjoy,” he said.

Dinkins is the nephew of world-renowned children’s author and Manning native, Peggy Parish.

“My aunt Margaret (Peggy Parish) use to encourage me in my writing and of course, I had written many short stories on local fishing and hunting articles growing up in S.C. before I left for University and Graduate School,” he added.

This is Dinkins’ first major publication and will be available through Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and through the publisher www.authorhouse.com.

Dinkins promises to forward a copy (hopefully autographed) to the Clarendon County Library as soon as it is available.