Eddie Joseph Sapia, Jr. was born on March 27, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He spent his entire life in Lafitte, Louisiana, a small town nestled in the state's coastal wetlands. As a child, he was deeply influenced by his grandfather, who introduced him to the local fishing and trapping practices. Despite his father's insistence on formal education, Sapia found his true calling in the outdoors, particularly in the wetlands, that he grew to love. He began working on boats at an early age, driving his grandfather's vessels and learning the intricacies of the local waterways. As an adult, Sapia continued to live and work in Lafitte, making a living through trawling and fishing. He married in 1960 and later bought a piece of land from a man named Royce Banker, where he built his home. His last boat, named the Special Lady, was crewed by his wife and daughter, and they would spend up to a week at a time out at sea, trawling and fishing.

Scope and Content Note
The interview with Eddie Sapia, conducted by Susan Testroet-Bergeron and Lane Lefort, provides a rich and detailed account of Sapia's life and experiences in the coastal wetlands of Louisiana. The interview begins with Sapia's early life, including his birth in New Orleans and his upbringing in Lafitte, Louisiana. He shares his childhood memories of following his grandfather around and learning to fish, trap, and drive boats. The interview also delves into Sapia's adult life, including his marriage in 1960, his purchase of land from Royce Banker, and his experiences trawling with his wife and daughter on their boat, the Special Lady. Sapia's deep love for the wetlands and the lifestyle it offers is a recurring theme throughout the interview. He speaks fondly of his time spent trawling, describing it as a unique and enjoyable experience that he preferred over city life. The interview concludes with Sapia expressing his contentment with his life in the wetlands, stating that there is no better place for him.