George Anderson, owner of the Little Rock-based construction firm Excel Roofing, recently experienced a dramatic shift from hammering shingles in Central Arkansas to navigating the shallow flats and mangrove keys of Southwest Florida, according to reporting by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
Saltwater Fishing and Regional Architecture on Marco Island
During a July 18–26 trip to the Naples and Marco Island area, Anderson traded commercial roofing work for his first-ever saltwater fishing excursion. A prominent project in his portfolio includes installing roofs on four of the six buildings at Timberidge Condominiums in midtown Little Rock. In Florida, however, he observed an entirely different architectural standard, noting to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette that roughly 90 percent of upscale Marco Island homes feature Spanish clay tile or metal roofs valued around $300,000.
“As a roofer, it’s unique, man,” Anderson told the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, describing the density of million-dollar properties featuring intricate tile work. “You’d better know now to safely get on those things without breaking tiles.”
Navigating the 10,000 Islands Ecosystem
Guided by Capt. Will Glasser of WJ Fishing Charters—a third-generation local guide—the group shifted their focus to the backwaters of the 10,000 Islands.
The 10,000 Islands region features a complex maze of shallow grass flats and mangrove keys that support a diverse marine ecosystem. According to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, local waters host species such as Goliath grouper, red grouper, snook, speckled sea trout, red drum, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, and shark.
While targeting mangrove snapper, Anderson caught a small jack crevalle. Rather than keeping the undersized catch, Glasser used the fish’s head as bait, which quickly attracted a shark to the area, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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