Team River Runners (TRR) and PACK met at San Louis Park on September 14, 2013 to take Veterans and their friends and family fishing.   

We started the day by rigging up the fishing rods with jig heads and gulp.  Fifteen rods and reels were purchased for TRR group by the Rotary Club.  I purchased tackle boxes, jig heads, gulp and plastics for their tackle boxes.  Will and I and others loaded the tackle boxes.  Once the rods and tackle were setup, we loaded up the trucks and headed to the launch. 

Weldon and Jennel were ready and eager to try kayak fishing.  We met up with the PACK volunteers at the Amigo Lane Launch Site.  They launched and I watched from the shore as they went off to chase Reds and Trout.  Man I wished I was out there.  After about 3o minutes, we heard that the second group had arrived at the pavilion and were getting ready to go. 

About an hour later the second group was delivered by TRR to the second launch at Dolphin Lane on Christmas Bay.   Bruce B, Mike M, Phillip W, John S, Harry F, Will H were there to meet the group and assist them in fishing.   They were given brief kayak paddling instructions and paddled out with the PACK guys in tow.   After the launch we went back to Launch Site 1 to fetch the others who were ready to get off the water. 

Weldon ended up catching a 14 and a half inch Trout right by the launch.  He enjoyed using the Wilderness system Ride 135 and said he could not believe how stable it was..  He is really thinking about getting a kayak now.   Jennel did not have as much luck but got a lot of time in the kayak.  It was a flat water boat without an anchor so it was a chore to fish and drift.  Next time we will make sure all boats have an anchor to keep them stable while fishing.   Jennel and I fished from the shore and talked about the day.  Since I was the trip coordinator, I did not hit the water but had to cast from the shore…. Hey… I ended up catching a piggy perch with the Gulp.  

After a few hours of fishing… and not much catching we all met back at San Louis Pass Pavilion for lunch.  Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and all the trimmings were prepared by the volunteers.  There was an appearance of Brad’s Pitt…. Not the actor… the BBQ pit…… sorry.. I had to.   Will H was one of the cooks and all was excellent.

We told fishing stories and heard about the veteran’s tattoos and stories of how and why they got them.  Most were related to their loved ones so they would always be with them.  Some were just for fun but most had real meaning….. John S is a very inquisitive member who got the guys and girls to talk about their families.

Mark one of the veterans told us about the fish that got away.  He evidently had a red on the line when his handle on the reel broke off.  He then started spinning the spool by hand to try and get the fish into the kayak.  No Luck… the fish escaped but he had the jig head with teeth marks to prove he was hooked up.  Oh well next time….

We ended up with 25 people at the event.  After lunch we parted ways and promised to do this again.  The veterans were very thankful for our efforts and we thanked them for their hard work and serving our country. 

I want to also thank all veterans who have served or are serving our county.  We owe a lot to our service men and women.  Thanks...  I will be ready to help the next time TRR wants to have an outing and hope to have help again from our PACK members.