The Dart: Fishing is a way to find peace of mind for Chatman

Published 12:01 am Monday, August 5, 2019

NATCHEZ — Not much is biting when the river is high, said local chef Ernest Chatman, but the peace and quiet make it all worth it.

When The Dart landed near Silver Street on Thursday afternoon after weeks of being closed for high water, the Mississippi River had receded just enough for Chatman to return to his usual fishing spots, he said.

Chatman, who cooks at Magnolia Grill, said he watches the river every day after work, especially after a busy day with heavy restaurant crowds, before going home to a large family.

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Chatman said he has six children between ages 25 and 5 years old.

“The last time my family was in The Dart was the day my wife and I brought our youngest home from the hospital — that very same day,” Chatman said.

Fishing and cooking have been two of Chatman’s favorite hobbies for most of his life, he said, adding he has worked as a chef Under the Hill for approximately seven years and loves to cook just about anything.

When he’s not on the river, Chatman said he also likes to venture over to Lake Concordia and fish for whatever is biting — white perch, brim, catfish and crappies.

The most interesting fish to ever land on his hook is an alligator gar, Chatman said.

“I heard they’ll bite you, so I cut the line,” he said.

Chatman said the high river makes fishing slow, especially since catfish like to swim near the mud at the bottom.

One catfish took hold of Chatman’s hook Thursday afternoon but managed to flop its way free before he could get a grip around it.

A second fish, no more than 3-inches long, liked to snatch Chatman’s bait.

Chatman managed to real it in and admire it before releasing it back into the river.

Fishing is less about the catch and more about the peace and quiet, Chatman said, adding he loves to sit alone with nothing but the sound of water to rest his mind.

“It’s peaceful to look at the waves,” Chatman said. “It gives you peace of mind.”