Capt. Billy Knowles | Mill House Podcast - Episode 32

Fly Fishing in the Florida Keys, especially Islamorada is rich and packed with history. Ever since Joe Brooks put the Purple Isle on the map for light tackle fisherman, there have been people that have impacted and helped shape Islamorada and the flats fishing guide community as we know it today. Billy Knowles is one of those people. There is arguably no other person living as connected or important to the history of flats fishing in Islamorada.
In the mid 1800’s, Billy’s family came over from the Bahamas and homesteaded half of Islamorada. The land was nothing but pineapple farms and exportation of this fruit became their main source of income. From a very early age, Billy gravitated to fishing and began mating on an offshore boat in the summers off of North Carolina. He fished for giant Bluefin Tunas in the northeast as well as targeting them off of Bimini. Billy soon become a full time back country guide in Islamorada chasing all of the inshore fish from dark to dark.
Knowles has been credited with discovering famous Tarpon fishing spots, helped create the Poor Boys Tarpon Fishing Tournament, and has been a father figure for many of the younger guides. He has won the Fall All Tackle Bonefish Tournament 5 times, the Spring All Tackle Bonefish Tournament 2 times, The Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament, and the Poor Boys Tarpon Tournament a staggering 11 times. It was only appropriate that in 2019 he was inducted into the IGFA Legendary Captains and Crew Hall of Fame.
What other living person has fished with Ernest Hemingway, President Herbert Hoover, President George H.W. Bush, and Ted Williams? I believe the “legend” word often gets thrown around a little too much but Billy is a true keys legend. Thank you for coming on Billy!
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[bosarge]

I had to watch this video again. Just amazing.

[cduff]

What a classy guy… Great interview reminds me a lot of some of the guys that I fished with years ago. They are no longer here would’ve loved to have known him. Thanks for taking Tom to get a piece of history this year with all of us.

[europrosk-]

My parents fished with Bill Knowles (Billy's father) and Dixie Knowles throughout the 1950s when the Knowles brothers were working for the Reinemans. I was about 14 years old then, and remember 15 year old, Billy, as First Mate for his father and Dixie. Later that summer, young Billy and I went out in a skiff for Snook. It was part of a three boat challenge: My father, Len Werlein and Bill Knowles, my mother Eddie Werlein and Dixie Knowles against Billy and me. Wonderful fun times those many years ago . . . I am 79 years old now and treasure those years very fondly.

[SlickMoves]

I just want to say thank you. Thank you for getting these stories and sharing them with all of us. These “podcasts” (I refer to them as fellowships) are priceless pieces of history that without your efforts, would go untold and soon forgotten by the upcoming generations. There is a certain intimacy and brotherhood shared among likeminded anglers and you have organically preserved that love of fishing that was pioneered by all of these great heroes. Kudos to you all.

[randirowland]

Andy - I know I say it every time you post something with the ol' man. Thank you for including him in the Mill House family. His stories are as legendary as he is and I wish he was still around to do a part 2. This podcast will forever be cherished by our family. RIP Grandaddy.

[robertgillilandjr]

RIP Billy! Thank you for your kindness to skinny keys kid learning to cast a fly rod. Your friendship to my Grandad Capt.Ray and our family will never be forgotten.

[MacJank]

What a time to be alive fishing with him and the others. I wish it was still like it was then.

[mrbonefish]

Wonderful! I'm so happy Billy is being recognized for his accomplishments and his history. I'm proud to have him as a dear friend and a mentor.

[michaelverniolle]

Thank you guys for doing this. So important to burn this in history. Thank you!

[robertbrown]

Great to get that personal testimony going all the way back to the very foundation of Islamorada. I hope you get to talk to him again.

[jaybush]

I have just watched and listened to the very best podcast interview I've ever heard. Considering the quality of the Millhouse Podcasts, that is saying something.

[Utubeuser]

But Joy Brown, Hanks wife was an excellent bonefisher woman on fly. Won many tournaments.

[EyeBalz]

Wow, Billy Knowles lets it fly! I'm gonna have to watch it again and take notes next time.

[richardfryer]

Love it! People are going to be using ‘son’ and ‘bush’ in the keys a lot more now haha.

[twinbeemonsterhunter]

I also hate them out of state guides that come down here during spring. Theirs one out of state guide from New Jersey Captain Sal from Hooligans fishing guiding out of islamorada killed two permits and said they two big pompano. He also killed a 16 inch undersized mutton snapper 😭

[grahambouthillier]

I wanted my Ex to break the chastity of our bond . Your a blessed man/angler she was solid. Proud of you, Winning Chris Evert You Go Andy

[grahambouthillier]

Stick to the the long wond Andy MY GOD