< Previous20 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017‘A ROAD OF HISTORIES’Fish camps by their very nature are among the most vulnerable coastal structures. Perhaps the most dramatic loss of these local retreats — whether attributed to storms or lifestyle changes — has occurred on Sportsman Road in Galveston, once known as Anderson Ways. Both Hurricane Ike and a growing desire for waterfront, upscale homes has dramatically reduced the number of pure camp-style structures on this once isolated bayside strip.The Sportsman name itself suggests the popularity of this area with hunters and anglers, and at one time it contained a signif-icant concentration of rustic camps intended for weekend and vacation use by those who wanted to fish, crab and hunt.Former Sportsman Road camp owners include a who’s who list of old Galveston families, a few of whom still own proper-ty on the waterfront strip. Some of these even continue to maintain their fish camps, although the area was seriously damaged during Ike and many structures lost to the storm weren’t rebuilt. Other former camp locations are today occupied by large, new-construction homes.In his book titled “Sportsman, A Road of Histories,” Allen Pauly, who at one time owned property on the road, has compiled not only a written description of many of the camps, but also included photos. The photos are especially noteworthy because they were taken only a few days before Hurricane Ike rearranged and erased much of the area’s built environment.As told by islander Carolyn Gaido, who still maintains a fish camp on the road, she and Pauly, a neighbor at the time, were discussing the road’s colorful history and unusual structural styles one afternoon when he shared his wish to write a book about the area. On a subsequent outing in August 2008 to conduct a little research in the area, Pauly fortuitously brought along his camera.The photos Pauly shot that day were going to become the last known documen-tation of the area before Ike made landfall, after which more than 20 of the houses on Sportsman Road would no longer exist.Under such circumstances, Pauly’s result-ing book is even more compelling in that it offers not only an overview of the entire road and a timeline of the changing owner-ships of its various properties, but a photo-graphic record as well.FeaturesPhoto by Jennifer ReynoldsCarolyn Gaido’s Sportsman Road retreat, known as “Camp Gucci,” pays homage to its coastal location through both design and décor.Cy Eilers409.789.2334Andrea Sunseri409.370.0088Courtney Sapio409.599.7030Peter Van Borssum409.771.0946Carolyn Gaido713.851.3377Michael Gaido409.457.4900Becky McClain832.455.9454SPECIALIZING LOCALLY SINCE 1974sandnsea.com | 409.797.5500Pirates Beach | 4215 Fiddler Crab LaneJana Turner I 713.819.9233Jamaica Beach | 16526 Jamaica Beach RoadCarol Miller & Wendell Odorizzi I 713.882.3934Kahala Beach Estates | 19130 Kahala DrivePamela Gabriel I 409.789.4990Pirates Cove Townhome | 28 Dana DriveAmanda Ross I 832.385.0431Beachside Village | 3818 NeptuneKimberly Gaido I 713.498.2020Sea Isle | 4203 JacksonPatti Zajack I 409.789.3199Treasure Island | 13214 Jolly RogerBarbara Zimmerman I 409.599.4344Open House 2/4 - 2pm to 4pmLet us help you find yourperfect island vacation!We have something for everyone.Contact us today!409.944.322013450 FM 3005 | Galveston, Texas 77554www.GaryGreeneVacationRentals.comIN ACANCERNEW LIGHTWHOLEResearchers at the Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences & Technology are discovering how to use light to fight cancer. Neuroscientists have used light to simulate neurons for years, but it’s only now being used on immune cells. By using a near-infrared laser beam, scientists can control the action of these cells and “instruct” them to kill cancer cells — and bring to life a whole new treatment. TREATMENT24 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017FeaturesMORE HUMBLE HUTSAs Pauly explains it, the road was orig-inally called Anderson Ways based on it being the site of a 19th century boat repair business operated by Capt. J. Anderson. After Anderson died in the 1900 Storm, the rural unpaved strip that once provided access to his business began to achieve popularity as the route to the island’s “in” place for outdoor adventure, especially fishing, hunting.Because of these activities, the access to them soon became known as Sportsman Road, and in those early days — as remem-bered by Gaido — her uncle Joseph Torre-grossa built a very no-frills camp used by the family on weekends and during the summer. She vividly describes the men playing poker and bocce ball, a form of land bowling orig-inated in Italy, and her own thrill when, as a 5-year-old, she caught her first fish off her uncle’s pier.Gaido also recalls that although the men and children — not bothered by the prim-itive conditions or lack of running water — loved spending time at the camp, the women of the family preferred to remain in the city, and also that her uncle’s was the first camp to replace its outdoor latrine with a real toilet.A commissioned work by artist Jack Morris portrays the now lost landmark J.W.’s Bait Camp.Photos by Jennifer ReynoldsCamp Gucci is featured in Allen Pauly’s book “Sportsman, A Road of Histories,” which traces the area’s earliest days and also includes Pauly’s photos of homes taken a few days before Hurricane Ike hit in 2008.Pauly’s description of the camps gives fur-ther insight into the casual ambience offered by the road.“The structures were called ‘camps,’ short for fishing camps, small houses built by the families or moved there from the East Side or Crash Basin; some were former military barracks,” he wrote.The camps were intentionally small, with one or two rooms, and made of such materi-als — usually wood — as could be accumu-lated without too much expense or effort. In the early days, they often were constructed without permits or even plans, and not built to any code other than that to which the ma-terials included in their construction could be adapted.Adding to the housing provided by the privately owned camps on the north of the road and facing onto the bay itself, there was a grouping of a half-dozen or so structures described as “shacks” on the south side. These even more humble huts catered to tourists and operated under the name Merry Mark Courts.HIGH-DOLLAR HOMESAccording to Pauly’s book, well-known Galvestonians who set up vacation hous-es on Sportsman Road included Dee Dee and Danny Perugini, who named their place Camp Dancie in honor of their young daughter, who today is one of the island’s best known public relations professionals, Contact me with all your Real Estate needs.Jim RosenfeldBROKER ASSOCIATECircle of Excellence Award WinnerHall of Fame MemberTexas Monthly Magazine Five Star Realtor 2012-2017Trulia and Zillow Five Star RatingCertified SIRVA Relocation Specialist713.854.1303Jim.Rosenfeld@Sothebyshomes.com“My exceptional Galveston team is marketing premier properties from the beaches to the bay — from historic treasures to high-rise condos!”WE ARE YOUR REALTOR®!EVIA | 3 Porch Street±10,337 SQ. FT. LAKEFRONT LOTLast list price $115,000 MLS 58865144INDIAN BEACH | 18610 W De Vaca Ln±15,764 SQ. FT. BEACHSIDE LOTOffered at $185,000 MLS 57174415EVIA | 1 Gentry Lane ±9,989 SQ. FT. LAKEFRONT LOTOffered at $110,000 MLS 40089444LAFFITES COVE | 13215 Binnacle Way 5 BEDROOMS | 5.5+ BATHSLast list price $1,454,800 MLS 70934454EVIA | 4 Southern Cross ±5,106 SQ. FT. LAKEFRONT LOTOffered at $99,900 MLS 75659242EVIA | 82 Island Passage3+ BEDROOMS | STUDY | 2.5 BATHSOffered at $368,800 NON-MLSNEW LISTING!SOLD!SOLD!PIRATES COVE | 3415 12 Mile RoadIdeal estate or development site. Approximately 17 buildable acres. Stellar vistas of Galveston Country Club’s golf course. ±25 ACRE SITEOffered at $1,199,000 MLS 96522495PIRATES COVE | 13821 Cutlass LaneExtraordinary bayside treasure boasts “million dollar” West Bay vistas. Stunning great room. Gourmet island kitchen. 3 Fireplaces. Golf cart.3+ BEDROOMS | 2+ BATHS | ±2,342 sq. ft.Offered at $649,800 NON-MLSEVIA | 6 Criolla CourtIncomparable “historic-inspired” custom. Divine pool. Dazzling lake vistas. Gorgeous finishes. Epicurean kitchen. Grand master suite. 3-4 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHS | ±2,040 sq. ft.Offered at $470,000 MLS 35877518Proudly marketingfor over 10 years!NEW LISTING!SOLD!SALE PENDING!26 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017FeaturesDancie Perugini Ware. Other camp names included Alamo on the Bay, Lone Star Camp, Bunny Camp and Lache Pas La Patate or “Don’t Drop The Potato,” a Cajun adage that loosely means “Hang In There.”Carolyn Gaido’s own camp was chris-tened Camp Gucci by family members because of its owner’s fondness for designs sold under the well-known fashion label. It also, however, is a far cry not only from the original camps that lined the road, but from its own original self. Gaido’s once rustic structure built more than a half-century ago as a true fish camp is today a showcase home offering the latest in modern conve-niences.Such changes are becoming more common not only on Sportsman Road but throughout the coastal area. As more people embrace the possibility of full-time water-front living, the concept of chilling out in a rustic camp is being replaced with the idea of establishing a modern family in a perma-nent dream home. And there’s no denying that a few whacks from a major storm or two helps speed the trend along.Increasingly, people who want the more upscale fish camp experience without the commitment are opting for rentals, such as Fish-n-Lodge on Bolivar Peninsula. Operat-ed by Jacki and Jeff Nielsen, who also own a fishing charter and bicycle rental service, the lodge can sleep 10 and offers all the comforts of home — including Wi-Fi and Netflix — plus a postcard-perfect view that overlooks a canal and a small harbor filled with shrimp boats. COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017 27A small inlet flows almost up to the back of the house, where a welcoming fire pit encourages a brief pause to enjoy the scen-ery from one of the surrounding Adiron-dack-style chairs.The trip to Fish-n-Lodge is a scenic coastal tour in itself. Accessed from the east, visitors pass through historic High Island and then along the beach-front road that runs the length of the peninsula. Accessed from the west, the trip includes a free ferry ride during which dolphins and seagulls fre-quently make the trip alongside. Once at the peninsula’s Loop 108, a few twists and turns lead visitors past Horseshoe Marsh and an Audubon bird sanctuary inhabited by assort-ed avian wildlife.Although “fish” is in the name of the lodge, Jacki Nielsen has observed that most people just hang out and relax there.“The most popular activity seems to be doing nothing,” she said. “Once people get here, you can almost see them unwind as they begin to take in the fresh air and sounds of nature.”Fishing gear, however, is available to those who fancy dropping a line in the nearby waters, a public boat ramp is only 300 feet away, and a fishing boat charter can be arranged. Bicycles and golf carts also are available for exploring the area and nearby beach combing.“You get the laid-back pleasures offered by a fishing camp, but without the hassle,” Jacki Nielsen said. “Once here, you don’t even have to go fishing if you don’t want to.” Photos by Jennifer Reynolds(Opposite page) Jacki and Jeff Nielsen’s Fish-n-Lodge on Bolivar Peninsula offers guests a getaway minutes from the ferry landing with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a small fleet of shrimp boats. Adirondack-style chairs surround a fire pit overlooking a small inlet. A large, partially covered deck is the perfect place to relax after a day of fishing. (Top, from left) A colorful, glass tile backsplash gives the kitchen a coastal feel. Chairs line a deck overlooking a fleet of shrimp boats in a small harbor off the canal. The lodge can sleep 10 and offers all the comforts of home.“You get the laid-back pleasures offered by a fishing camp, but without the hassle. Once here, you don’t even have to go fishing if you don’t want to.”– Jacki Nielsen 28 COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017FeaturesFor 88 years, anglers have practiced their sport at Eagle PointStory by Sue Mayfield Geiger Photos by Stuart VillanuevaA fishing fixtureFor three generations, the Val-entino family has owned and operated Eagle Point Fishing Camp in San Leon, a popular gathering spot for anglers on 9 acres that jut sharply and precariously into Galves-ton Bay.The camp, established in 1929 and known as Camp Eagle Point, at one time had several cabins, more than 100 skiffs for rent, a long pier and cafe, General Manager Eric Valentino said.“People would row out to fish since there were no outboard motors avail-able,” Valentino said.Today, the camp is a scaled-down ver-sion of its former self, consisting of boat slips, an indoor boat shed, ramp and an RV park where the cabins used to be.“I started coming down here when I was 4 years old,” Valentino said. “As I got older, I’d come to work with my dad at 3 or 4 a.m., put boats in the water, shrimp with my grandfather — it was exciting. Then I went off to college and enjoyed a career in sales for several years, but came back here full time in 2013.”Capt. Winfield “Windy” Marshall, bait and tackle manager, has been working on and off at the camp since he returned from Vietnam in 1973.Marshall and Valentino have shared many fish tales.A typical day for Marshall begins at about 3:30 a.m. By 4 a.m., a long line of boats are waiting to ramp.Eric Valentino and Winfield “Windy” Marshall run the historic Eagle Point Fishing Camp in San Leon. The Valentino family has owned and operated the popular gathering spot for anglers for three generations. Marshall, the bait and tackle manager, has been working on and off at the camp since 1973. COASTMONTHLY.COM / February 2017 29But you might find Marshall sitting in an easy chair behind the counter when business is slow, so he can rest a bit.The ambience is typical bait shop décor — hooks, weights, lines, corks, anchors, nets, gloves, buckets and life jackets. And of course, there’s the bait.Five 1,000-gallon tanks are out back for suppliers to unload their haul. Live bait — shrimp and croakers — catch the most fish, Marshall and Valentino agree. But Eagle Point also has a supply of fresh unfrozen dead or frozen dead bait.Shrimpers Duc Nguyen and Thu Le come in early most mornings with their haul. Le, despite her size — she’s less than 5 feet tall and weighs about 90 pounds — can lift 60- to 70-pound boxes of shrimp without a problem.Fishing season is from May 1 through Oct. 1, when the majority of anglers come down, Valentino said.Marshall, an expert guide, shows anglers where the fishing slicks are and where the fish are feeding. There’s a pat-tern, he said.“They start in the spring, coming in from the Gulf on their way to fresh water to spawn,” he said. “They come down the ship channel, go up to the San Jacinto River and Trinity River and spread out.”The fish people catch the most of at Eagle Point are speckled trout, redfish and Gulf trout, respectively, Marshall said. But 95 per-cent of the fish is caught by just 5 percent of the anglers, he said.Both Valentino and Marshall agree that fishing is 90 percent talent and experience, and 10 percent luck.“In the old days, anglers would come down here and fish constantly,” Valentino said. “They had more experience, therefore, they caught more fish. Nowadays, people don’t fish as much. You have to practice fishing, just like anything else you want to be good at.”Aside from Valentino and Marshall, Capt. David Dillman and Ray Repczynski are part of the fish camp team. Valentino’s father, Johnny Valentino, is retired, but still comes in occasionally.“We’re not a fancy place,” said Eric Valen-tino, who now brings his 1-year-old son to work sometimes. “I want him to have some of the experiences I’ve had here.” (Top, from left) Windy Marshall gathers live shrimp in a net. The tackle shop at Eagle Point Fishing Camp. Live bait, including shrimp and croakers, and frozen dead bait are available at the San Leon camp. Windy Marshall and Eric Valentino have shared many fish tales. They agree fishing is 90 percent talent and experience and 10 percent luck.Next >