Purple Heart Recipients Get Hooked

On the cold, dark night of 9 February 2012, Matt (Chief) took two wounded warriors to the William O. Husk Lock and Dam #3 after formation and fished for four hours.

 SPC Herman Perez, a purple heart recipient from Puerto Rico, never kayak fished before but approached Matt after the last Ft Bragg WTB Town Hall meeting to inquire about our trips.  Herman stated, "I'm a little nervous to get in a kayak, because of my poor balance and I've never done it before."  Matt reassured him, and Herman agreed to try it.  When they arrived at the lauch site, Matt gave Herman some one-on-one instruction and launched him in our very stable 14.5' Native Ultimate.  Matt stated, "Herman got the hang of it quickly and did very well.   He actually did something he didn't think he could do with his injuries.  His balance issue limit his ability to do a lot of other outdoor sports, but he can kayak fish.  Even though it was cold, it was bearable; and he seemed to have a great time."
 
SPC Eric Dickerson, also a Purple Heart recipient, paddled with Matt last summer at this same location and wanted to come again in search of a monster catfish.  Matt said, "All three of us had some good hits with one bending the rod all the way over.  We were using cut bait to target Blue and Flathead catfish, but the cold weather seems to still be affecting the fishing out here.  Nonetheless, we had a good time joking around, getting out of the barracks, and enjoying the relaxing outdoors."

Happy Fishing!  =)
 
Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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One Great Weekend in San Antonio Area! 

Three outings over two days, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20th and 21st, 2012, gave our country's heroes some well deserved fun, kayak fishing in the San Antonio area.

Kody Wilson, the new Brooke Army Medical Center 10 Week HOW program coordinator, launched a group of first time kayak fisherman along with a few expereienced veterans on the Guadalupe River. An unseasonably warm day made it a great day to be in the outdoors. 

Bill Stroud, San Antonio chapter coordinator, and his group caught 39 Rainbow trout up to 24" on Saturday at Rio Raft. One veteran, Angel, caught 24 of the 39 trout! He sai d "I'll remember this day for the rest of my life. 24 trout in one day! That sounds impossible! But I did it, all thanks to Heroes on the water/San Antonio Chapter/ thanks to Bill and his wonderful family."  

At a private lake in San Marcus, another group of veterans and family spent the day kayak fishing. It was a bit windy and cooler than the day before, but there were some catches...especially thrilling when the veterans' children squeal in delight! Kayak fishing is a wonderful family sport and the bond between dad and child is priceless. Heroes on the Water is dedicated to fostering those experiences.

Photos of the BAMC outings are posted online, compliments of Joe Winston. Click here to view photos.  Joe was the BAMC coordinator in 2011 and will now lead the Houston Chapter.

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Combat Veteran's First Time Kayak Fishing

On 14 December 2011, Matt brought Brian Dallura, a new Heroes On The Water participant, to Smith Lake on Fort Bragg, NC.  They met up with a new HOW volunteer, Jeffrey Lee, that had already been on the water fishing for a few hours and did well landing six large mouth bass near the dam of the lake.  Jeff gave Brian some good instruction on how to use a bait caster which he had never tried before.  He practiced awhile using one of Jeff's rods.  Brian got a few strikes near a stump Jeff suggested he try but was unable to land a fish; nevertheless, Brian said he had a good time and was more interested in getting the hang of using a bait caster than catching a fish.

This was the second time Brian had fished since being medevaced to the states; it was his first time Kayak Fishing. Brian is a Combat Medic that was injured in Afghanistan when suicide bombers and armed Taliban insurgents attacked the ANA compound where he was at training Afghan soldiers on medical techniques.  Brian was shot in both legs and the left arm and sustained several shrapnel wounds from the suicide bombers.  Matt plans to take Brian on more trips. 
 
This was the first time Matt and Jeff met, and the warm afternoon gave them an opportunity to fish together and talk about how to get more heroes on the water next season to experience the relaxation and rehabilitating awesomeness of Kayak Fishing.  Jeff will be a great addition to the Fort Bragg HOW team and was introduced to kayak fishing by Kaleb Dutil, a former Marine and combat veteran.

Happy Fishing!  =)
 
Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!!

Y’all are helping guys and gals likeTim who we took out in August at a small lake in Parker, TX. Tim was severely injured four years ago  -- 17 Aug 2007. He calls it his "Alive Day" because he is still alive. On his Day, we had the pleasure of putting him on the biggest fish he has ever caught. HOW awesome is that!!!!

Spent Veterans Day on the water with Travis, a Wounded Marine, medically retired, and a Corpus Christi cop Search and Recovery diver. He is a single father of an 11 year old daughter. It was his first time to fish out of a kayak and was one of those days people say  "Should have been here yesterday". Beautiful weather, great friends and lots of fish. Travis caught a Texas Slam including 7 reds, tons of trout and a very nice 19" flounder. We talked for hours. Doesn't get much better than that!!!  Jim Dolan, National Director, Heroes on the Water

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Camaraderie on the Water While Away from Loved Ones

At Ft. Bragg, many of the wounded warriors were not stationed there prior to being injured; hence, their family, friends, pets, battle buddies, etc. are often at other locations.  Coupled with stong medications, limited driving privilages, and denied leave requests during the actual MED Board process, a number of wounded warriors spend the holidays away from their loved ones and in the barracks.  Fortunately, Matt stays in the barracks as well; and when he pulls the 4 yak trailer around the front of the barracks, he is sure to lure a few of our fellow vets away from their gaming and movie time to enjoy some fresh air and rehabilitative yakfishing.

On Wednesday, 23 November 2011, Matt (Chief) took three wounded warriors fishing: SFC Francis Crawford, SGT Renea Rodgers, and SGT Jeff Brunelle. They initially planned to try a new local lake on the outskirts of Fort Bragg, called Boundary Line.  After getting an early release for the holiday, Chief and Renea met Jeff and Francis at the lake. The wind started to really pick up and the way the lake sat with a dam on one side and a down slope past the dam, the wind was cutting hard across the small lake pushing the water fast towards the dam.  Chief decided it would be too difficult to fight and decided to move to Smith Lake which lies low and is surrounded by pine trees providing some protection from the wind.  Hence, they moved and fished at Smith lake around around 2 PM until around 6 PM.
 
Matt landed the first fish - a Large Mouth Bass using a new plastic 10 inch green pumpkin Raging Cajun worm.  Jeff caught his biggest Bass yet which was 18 inches. 

Renea and Crawford had some strikes but were unable to land one.  This was Francis's first trip with HOW.  Chief had talked about getting her on the water several months ago, so after the holiday safety brief Chief invited her; and she gladly agreed.  Francis said she had a lot of fun just being out of the barracks to enjoy the outdoors and wants to get on the water again soon. 

From the FB/CF HOW Chapter, have a great holiday weekend; and please continue to pray for those home and abroad who can not be with their loved ones during the holiday season.
 
Happy Fishing!  =)

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

And more pictures of great times and catches on Smith Lake, Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Many thanks to Matt for his dedication to Heroes on the Water and getting these well deserving men and women out kayak fishing!

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Caught the Bug of Yakfishing

Matt (Chief) took SSG Bernard Flemming to Smith Lake right after formation on 1 NOV 11. They got on the water close to 5 PM and fished a good 2-3 hours until it was completely dark. Matt caught one Bass, and one Yellow Bull Head catfish. Bernard landed his second Bass ever; he said it was much bigger then the first and by far the biggest fish he has ever caught.  Check out the photos.  =)
 
Bernard is very enthusiastic about continuing to Kayak fish and has talked with Chief about getting his own Kayak. Bernard has participated in two HOW group trips and seems to really enjoy getting out of the barracks and being outdoors fishing and relaxing.  It looks like another participant has caught the bug of yakfishing.

           Happy Fishing  =)
 
           Respectfully, 

           Michelle Little
           Heroes on the Water
           Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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Central Virginia Wounded Warriors Take Away Prizes at 2011 TKAA Tournament

The Central Virginia Chapter of Heroes on the Water took five Heroes from The Governor's VA Wounded Warrior Program and three VA Paralyzed Veteran Heroes from the Mcguire Medical Hospital in Richmond VA to the TKAA Tournament this year. 

Between the eight of them, they won prizes from 4 rods to a wonderful Basket of goodies from one of the local Kayak Touring Companies to go on a free tour with their group.

These guys had a wonderful time and loved every minute of their adventure into the Salt for the first time ever, they caught fish, saw Sea Turtles, and discovered the wonderful sport of kayak fishing and camaraderie.

We all  had a blast even in the rainy weather, for myself, just watching the faces of these fine men light up seeing the open waters of Rudee Inlet, and the fish jumping out of the water, making them all that more eager to get out there and get fishing.

We all will see the TKAA Tournament again next year, and they are already waiting for it.
 
Many thanks to all the Sponsors, Volunteers, and men and women behind getting this tournament together.
 

 
Tina A. Shank

Central Virginia Chapter of Heroes On The Water

Connect with Us on Facebook

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2011 TKAA Charity Kayak Fishing Tournament 

3 Chapters of Heroes on the Water participated...here is Fort Bragg/Cape Fear's report

This past weekend, the Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW Chapter selected five (5) active duty, wounded Fort Bragg Soldiers to participate in the Tidewater Kayak Angler's Association (TKAA) 7th Annual Kayak Fish for Charity Tournament located in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Each of these Soldiers (Matt, Celia, Shane, Jeff, and Alex) have fished with the HOW team before and demonstrated a passion for the sport we all know and love.

Wayne Bradby, the TKAA tournament director, is a long time supporter of HOW and commits countless time, energy, and resources into the continuation and expansion of programs that support our wounded warriors.  Although a modest guy, his TKAA tournament stands as one of the largest donors for HOW National.  More importantly, he directly sponsors their 2 x local VA chapters (Tidewater and Central Va) and invites surrounding HOW chapters, like ours, to participate in their events.  This year was the largest TKAA tournament with over 240 registered kayak anglers from 9 states, and 93 sponsors donated over $42,000 in products.

For the FB/CF Chapter specifically, Wayne and Tom (Tidewater HOW Coordinator) hosted Celia and Michelle on July 4th to do a recon of the various fishing ramps, lodging, and tackle shops.  For the tournament, Wayne provided fully stocked captain's bags for each of our participants; and connected us with a local vendor, Frankie's Ribs, that donated dinner for the guys on Friday night.

In addition, Wayne waived the tournament fees for the HOW/Project Healing Water (PHW) Chapter participants and provided a little internal dueling with a HOW/PHW Challenge; the team with the largest total length of fish (any species) won a kayak for their chapter.  Best of all, he allowed the HOW/PHW participants to compete just like any other angler.

Alex, one of the FB/CF HOW participants stated, "I'm so glad you guys put this together.  It's nice to not be singled out for your disabilities but treated with dignity like everyone else.  It's not always that way in the WTB (Warrior Transition Battalion), but the HOW program has made a huge impact on me."

The jockeying between the HOW/PHW coordinators was all in fun to get the guys psyched about a new challenge on the water.  Michelle noted, "The tournament originally started as an individual challenge for our guys to win their very first fishing kayak; this is what prompted them to drive 5 hours on their own to fish in the unfamiliar Tidewater region. Then it transitioned into an internal bout between themselves based on their individually chosen tackle and hometown fishing experience.  But by the time we arrived at the weigh in, the group came full circle and got excited about potentially winning the TEAM kayak for the FB/CF Chapter. This tournament pulled these guys together like an Army field exercise, and we are incredibly grateful for Wayne's invitation and the donors that made it possible for us to attend."

After launching at 0630 from Rudee's Inlet, the team paddled back one-by-one between 1330-1400 in the pouring rain.  Although wet and cold, each one had a priceless grin as they smelled the hot meatball subs and talked about their best catches of the day.  Celia landed the first fish within minutes of launching; a nice sized trout that really got the guys chopping at the bit.  Jeff caught the longest fish of the day with a ~13.5in trout.  Shane won team bragging rights by pulling in the most fish (11) and length with ~114in; and Matt pulled in the most species (6) with 9 fish total and ~97in.  For many of these guys, this was the first time they caught a fanged speckled trout or even saw an oyster toad. 

Great news!!  With a total length of 299.25 inches, the FB/CF HOW team won a brand new 12' Moken fishing kayak (camo in color of course) that was donated by Keith Hamlin, a TKAA club member and veteran himself.
The guys admired the built in handle system, wide-based wheel, locking dry box compartments, and negotiated who would get it on the water first.  Best of all, the manufacturer (Feelfree) is headquartered in Asheville, NC.  Check out the attached photo and link below =)

http://www.feelfreekayakusa.com/Kayaks/Moken.htm

After proudly loading the new kayak and heading back to the hotel, the guys opened the door between their connected rooms and poured out a 5 gallon bucket of lures/bait that were won and subsequently donated by the Carolina YakFish Series.  Each member was able to take 2 freshwater and 2 saltwater lures; the remaining stash was donated to the HOW tackle box for future outings.

"Although some of the FB/CF HOW participants didn't know each other before the tournament, they cut up like the best of friends by the time we departed on Sunday," stated Michelle.  In particular, one of the Soldiers stopped her before leaving on Sunday and stated, "I keep to myself and have a very small group of close friends.  I really don't like to be around a lot of people.  I would have never tried kayak fishing a year ago, but Matt (FB/CF Assistant Coordinator - Small Group Outings) was persistent and knew exactly how to peak my interest.  I fished with him one night and then did a saltwater trip with you guys in July.  Since then, I've done countless hours of research on the NC species and tackle; and I really enjoy the kayak fishing community. Thank you for introducing me to something I really enjoy and can share with my wife.  This program is one of the best offered through the WTB."

This trip would not have been possible without our local donors:
Carolina YakFish sponsored our hotel rooms for Friday and Saturday night and provided the lunch subs on Saturday.  Patriot Hunts sponsored the $10 temporary non-resident saltwater fishing licenses for the guys to ensure the game warden didn't greet us at the boat launch =)

In addition, Chad Hoover, with Hook 1/Kayak Bass Fishing/Wilderness, stepped up at the tournament and donated a kayak and gear to HOW National.  Jim Dolan, our HOW National President, requested the new kayak be added to the FB/CF Chapter.  This ensures we can keep our paired, battle buddy fleet together with the new Moken addition.  To diversify our fleet, we selected a red, 135 Wilderness Ride sit-on-top with an XXL PFD, and 220-240" yakfish paddle.  The guys are excited to get both of the new yaks on the water!

Chad also took a great team photo with the new yak we plan to print, frame, and submit to Tony Pugh and the Fort Bragg SFAC.  Honoring these guys' great achievement will not only bestow pride in their accomplishment, but continue to raise awareness to the new wounded veterans arriving daily in the unit.

Thank you to all of the yakfishers, donors, and sponsors that made the TKAA tournament a success.  Through your participation, we introduced a few of our FB/CF HOW Soldiers to a different side of the sport that throws a dose of good ol' healthy competition into the mix.  Best of all, the guys loved it!! 

Until next time, happy fishing!!  =)

 Remaining Group Fishing Events for 2011:
7-8 Oct - NCKFA Oak Island Tournament
29 Oct - Jordan Lake (Ebenezer)

Respectfully,
Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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2011 TKAA Charity Tournament

Excerpt from angling-addict, Ramblings of a Fish Junkie by Rob Choi

I took Lance Corporal Israel Ramirez out to Rudee Inlet in my Redfish 12.  He had been to many places including Greece and Lybia and now had several pins in his right hand along with a cast.  Knowing that I shouldn't push him, we started off pretty relaxed.  I just wanted him to have a good time on the water.  But after chatting and getting to know him, I realized he was pretty mission driven and today's mission was to catch a fish.  It's something he had never done before and it was my goal to help him achieve that.  His casting got better as the day progressed and his paddle strokes got stronger.  He couldn't quite grip the paddle all the way and I told him to let me know if his hand was bothering him and that we could take a break.  But like a true marine, he told me "pain is weakness leaving the body" and trucked on as I nodded and smiled.  Shortly there after, I got him to hook up and I was ecstatic when he caught his first fish ever. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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Great Day for Warriors on Robeson Creek

Thanks to the Ft. Bragg/Cape Fear Heroes on the Water Chapter & Supporters

In preparation for the 10 September Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW event, Bob Dainton, Carolina YakFish Coordinator, met Matt (Chief) and Michelle at the launch site on a Friday evening, to discuss bait/tackle options, rod and retrieval action, structure, and waterway navigation.  Afterwards, Matt paddled the wide spanning river head and provided an update on key fishing areas and terrain.
 
Celia (the CPT) headed to Greensboro, NC to pick up gear and yaks the Get Outdoors staff collected.  We owe a special thanks to Andy Zimmerman and Will Seeley at Get Outdoors, Mr. Joe Fox and his shared experience with the 82nd Airborne Division, and HOW National for your time, effort, and resources in obtaining gear to outfit 3 additional FB/CF HOW teams.  Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve wounded warriors and their families in our area.
 
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On Saturday, 10 September, the FB/CF HOW staff headed to Robeson Creek off Jordan Lake.  The HOW participants consisted of a mix of new and former yakfishers and a new volunteer, retired MSG Katherine Carpenter.  Joe, the team's handyman, arrived early to unload all of the gear while Celia rigged up a large mouth and catfish line for each of the ten participants.
 
After the staff went over basic kayak safety, rollovers, paddling and fishing techniques, emergency response, and of course, the required "Fish On!" command, the participants launched from the bank and headed down river.  Matt caught a glimpse of a water snake eating a fish by the bank and motioned for the other guys to witness the feeding.  Although a number of the participants took photos and watched in amazement, a few others pulled their legs and feet in the yak and dared to swim off the rocks.
 
First to shout "Fish On!" was Bernard!  This was Bernard's first time kayak fishing, and he stated, "I've never caught a bass.  You said Celia was pretty good at it so I figured I'd hang around her.  Sure enough, it worked!"  Bernard landed an 11.5" largemouth within the first 30 minutes of the morning.
 
Shortly thereafter, Celia shouted out, "Fish On!" This was one of four large mouth's Celia landed from her yak.  Celia stated, "I've never thrown a black worm with that type of action, but it worked."  This goes to show that our trusty freshwater guide (Bob Dainton) and saltwater guide (Kaleb Dutil) know their local waters and are instrumental in getting our participants on fish.
 
Alex put in a workout by paddling down river towards the dam to check out the terrain while Matt threw his casting net from the newly purchased Versa Board (Native) to snag some shad for his Gar with Rene outing that evening.  Matt did take a dump off the side of the Versa Board, but there are some variations to the story as to whether it was a chosen swim due to the warm sun or a misstep in his effort to cast his net.  =) Nonetheless, Matt pulled up to the bank with a huge grin and said, "I love fishing off this thing (the versa board).  It sturdy and easy to climb back on."
 
In addition, Rene landed a large mouth and threw his fly rod with some new top water flies a buddy tied for him.  Joe was able to try out the Versa board as well; and first time yakfisher, Steve, learned to stand up and turn around in the Native Ultimate in order to cast the sweet spot between the rocks.  Katherine said she enjoyed just being outdoors and around Soldiers again and offered to join the FB/CF HOW staff for future outings.  =)
 
Special thanks to Jason's Deli for the discounted lunch boxes; Get Outdoors for providing four yaks, PFDs, and paddles; Joe and Celia for taking time off work to pick up and return the gear; Bob for helping recon the site despite his tight schedule; and Matt for coordinating the caravan to Pittsboro.
 
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On Monday, Michelle spoke with Matt and he stated, "Steve and Bernard drove back together; and when I saw them at the barracks, Steve said, 'We would like to go whenever we can.  We are hooked on kayak fishing!"  Matt continues to take anywhere from 2-10 WTB Soldiers yakfishing per week and stated, "I have people asking me all the time when they see me with the kayaks." 
 
Indeed, the FB/CF HOW Chapter has more demand and interest than resources and staff.  Hence, we welcome any of our fellow yakfishers to join us on an outing.  If you spend one day on the water with these guys, you will be hooked too!!  =)    Happy fishing!!

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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HOW Warriors 9-11 Day of Service and Remembrance
 

On September 11th, IRISHWATERDOGS held another great IWD HOW kayak fishing event in Jacksonville, Florida. They just keep getting better! Led by Dave McDaid, chapter coordinator, and many dedicated volunteers, they honored warriors with a special day of service and remembrance for the men and women who sacrifice so much for the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Check out the pictures on the IWD Warriors forum and stay connected for future IWD HOW events.

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50 Wounded Warriors Fishing at Kelsey Bass Ranch 

September 10th's kayak fishing outing at Kelsey Bass Ranch in the Sierra Nevada Foothills was an awesome event for 50 wounded veterans. They enjoyed a well-deserved time out on the water, along with great food and camaraderie. As the troops arrived, they enjoyed breakfast burritos followed by a lunch of hotdogs, hamburgers, baby back ribs, and gourmet grilled tofu, along with many other goodies. The weather was great for enjoying the outdoors and kayak fishing and some fish were hooked.

The outing was a huge success for the vets as a result of the coordination and support of the NorCal HOW Chapter coordinator, Don Anglin and the many volunteers who came out and worked so hard to give back to our wounded warriors.  Donations of consumable goods and supporters providing equipment for use, such as kayaks, porta potties and other necessities, helped to keep the event cost to a minimum. A BIG THANK YOU to all who came together to make it a great day!

Check out the NorCal blog for more pictures and details. See you on the water!

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Central Virginia HOW Chapter Aug 17th Outing

Wednesday, Aug 17th, eight very deserving Heroes took part in a kayak fishing outing with the the Central Virginia HOW Chapter at Sandy River Reservoir. For three of the eight Heroes, it was their first excursion with HOW where they could experience first hand the calmness and healing power of fishing out of a kayak on the water. Many thanks to all who made the event possible: 2 VAWW, and VA Coordinators, and 10 Volunteers and the awesome Lasagna made by Charley's Waterfront Cafe. Great Fun. Great Food. Great Friends.

We look forward to seeing all of you again at the Sept 24th TKAA Kayak Fishing for Charity Tournament.

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Determined to Catch Gar at Buck Horn Dam

On August 17, 2011, Matt (Chief) took SSG Tyron Hudgins to Buck Horn Dam which is located on the Haw River near Jordan Lake, NC.  On Wednesdays, the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) holds final formation a little early (1500/3pm) which provides a great opportunity to get on the water!  Plus, Jordan Lake is just over an hour from Fort Bragg and always gives fisherman a challenge.  Hence, Matt and Tyron launched around 1730 (5:30pm) to try and land a Gar.  Matt said, “We paddled and fished until 0130.  We didn’t intend to stay that long, but time flew and Tyron was determined to catch his first Gar.  We had a full moon which provided a well lit area with a lot of stars overhead.” 

By the time they finished up, Tyron hooked up with a Bass on live shiners and two Channel Catfish.  Although he wasn’t able to land a Gar, he did hook up approximately 10 times but couldn’t get them in the yak.  Matt landed two Bass with live Shiners, one Chanel Catfish, and one Long Nose Gar.  Check out the photos!!  =)

This was Tyron's second Kayak fishing trip with Matt, and he has already asked Matt about going out again next week.  In addition, Tyron asked Matt about getting his own kayak, and said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to fish with Heroes on the Water and got a lot out of the experience.”

Buck Horn Dam is a beautiful area to fish and relax.  The overflowing dam, island, protruding rocks, and fallen trees provide a diverse terrain that is guaranteed to hold some fish.  There are multiple species with good size, including: Gar; Blue, Channel, and Flat Head Catfish; Large Mouth and Striped Bass; Carp; and Bow Fins to name just a few.  This is a location that Matt plans on taking many more Warriors to enjoy.

Due to hurricane Irene, we cancelled the Fort Fisher trip for this weekend.  Our next outing is schedule on Sat, 10 Sep at Jordan Lake (Robeson Creek).

A special thanks goes out to our freshwater guide, Bob Dainton (Toba) with the YakFishSeries, for helping the HOW staff navigate and fish local waters in and around Fort Bragg.  Exposure to new and diverse terrain keeps the Soldiers and Staff eager to explore more areas in our area. 

Also, we have two new volunteers who are excited to join the HOW team, Peter Evans and Katherine Carpenter.  Both are Army Veterans and have experience with kayaking and fishing.  We look forward to getting them on the water with us.

Lastly, Get Outdoors continues to provide yaks, paddles, and PFDs for every outing and pays close attention to any special requirements we may need to fit the participants.  They continue to host Demo Days in the Greensboro area, and we encourage you to check out the new yak variations and introduce any first timers to their program.  Their store has everything to meet your yakfishing needs, including flies and gear for us flyfisherman.

Be safe this weekend, and we look forward to seeing on the water soon.  Happy Fishing!!

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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A Found Passion for Kayak Fishing - Therapy on the Water

On August 15, 2011, Matt (Chief) returned to the William O. Husk Lock and Dam, located on the cape Fear River , with Alex Minarik, a Wounded Warrior and Airborne Infantry Paratrooper.  This was the third time Matt took Alex to this local fishing hole; the last two trips, Alex came up empty handed but was determined to try again and land a nice Cat Fish or Long Nose Gar.  

At approximately 2200 (10:00 PM), Matt and Alex used the casting net to land some Shad; and they lowered one drop rig and one bobber rigged for Gar.  After slowly floating the base of the dam for approximately 10-15 minutes, Alex's line began running fast… you all know that sound!!  Alex gained control of the rod and fought his fish, or as he called it was “playing with his fish,” a solid ten minutes.  The fight pulled him around a little in the kayak which added to the excitement of the running reel.  He finally wore her out and was able to land his first Cat Fish ever… an 18.5 pound Flat Head!!  Check out the photo… this monster looks like she’d be a lot of fun!!  =)

Alex has been hooked since his first trip with Heroes on The Water (no pun intended).  He’s participated in fresh water and saltwater events and done a variety of group and solo outings.  In addition, Alex’s been studying fishing techniques as well as collecting his own gear.  Prior to fishing with Matt and the Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW Chapter, Alex had only caught pan fish.  In just a few months, he’s landed a nice Redfish, Sting Ray, and Cat Fish from various kayaks.  More importantly, he found a passion for a new sport; and like many others, the experience associated with kayak fishing has proved therapeutic in his recovery and reintegration.  Spend a day on the water with guys like Matt and Alex, and it is infectious!!  =)

The outing at Fort Fisher, Sat, 27 Aug has been cancelled due to the approaching Hurricane Irene. Our next outing is Sat, 10 Sept at the Haw River Float Trip/Mebane. Hope to see you there! 

Happy Fishing!

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Chapter HOW Activities (5-7 August 2011)

Friday, 5 August 2011
Jeff Brunelle, a recovering combat veteran at Fort Bragg, has caught the bug… yes, that infectious desire to get on the water and yakfish.  Jeff participated in a couple of large, fresh and saltwater events with HOW and is always eager to do smaller outings with Matt (Chief) after work and/or on the weekends. 

Well after a long week of formations, appointments, and staff duty, there was no better way to close a Friday afternoon then by getting on the water.  Hence, Jeff and Matt headed to the William O. Husk Lock and Dam, on the Cape Fear River, and launched around 2200 (10 pm).  We typically associate this fishing area with the large catfish it produces; however, the guys were set on a different type of species… landing a gar.  After dropping a bottom rig with some cut bait over the side of the yak, a 44" Gar struck Jeff's line before it even hit the river bottom.  Although this was the only catch of the night and the guys had to use a flashlight to capture this monster on film, Matt said, "This was very exciting.  We had a great time!" 


Sunday, 7 August 2011
As many of you know, Celia and Matt spend a lot of time helping other HOW Soldiers when we're on the water even though they are HOW Soldiers themselves.  But every now and then, these combat veterans get a little peace and quiet on the water… the morning fog (or the reddish sunset), the paddle sounds lapping the water, the slight wave created by the bow of the boat, the wildlife maneuvering the nearby wood line… this is where it all starts.

Well for Matt's birthday weekend, he not only got to fish with a fellow HOW Soldier on Friday night, but Bob (Toba) took him out to Buckhorn Dam, off Jordan Lake, for some early morning fishing.  This was Matt's first time at Buckhorn, and Bob made sure to catch it on video and still shot.  Bob said, "Matt had a really good one hooked up and fought it for a little while, then it jumped completely out of the water and spit the hooks.  I got that on video and will load it on YouTube.  He was bummed at first; but literally minutes later, he hooked up with another nice one that pulled his kayak a good 100 yards.  He landed the 43.5" gar, and I think it was the biggest (longest) fish he'd ever caught."  Matt also hooked up with another 28" gar and a nice looking channel catfish.  When I asked Matt about his monster on Monday, he said, "Yeah, it put up a fight; but it was a lot of fun.  Bob even took some video and showed me some different rigs and areas around Jordan.  I had a great time!"

It's a good day when you put fish in the boat, but it's an even better day when you land your personal best.  Check out the attached photos from the weekend; the webcast should post shortly.

Our next big outing is scheduled for Sat, 27 Aug at Fort Fisher, with saltwater guide Kaleb Dutil.  Come check it out! 

Happy fishing!  =)

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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TJM Alzheimers Charity Tournament & HOW's Prize Winners

As many of you are aware, the Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW chapter predominately focuses on taking small groups of Military veterans on the water in order to help them relax, rehabilitate, and reintegrate through kayak fishing and the outdoors.  We encourage these veterans to include their kids, spouse, support group, therapist, and/or battle buddy, for example, so they are able to share the experience with the folks they trust and love.  For some of these participants, a day on the water is simply a day away from the hospital, formations, the barracks, and a great time outside.  For others, these outing provide much more… a sense of peace, excitement, confidence, and the empowerment associated with sharing an outdoor, active, sporting event with their friends and family… one they can do despite their injuries.

In order to make all of this happen, there is a lot of activity behind the scenes.  Matt (aka Chief) takes 1-3 Soldiers to Fort Bragg's local waters throughout the week while Celia (aka the Captain) coordinates the bigger weekend trips of 6-14 participants.  In addition, our freshwater and saltwater guides (Bob, Kaleb, and Joe) recon local fishing spots, fishing reports, ramp access, tide charts, and verify water levels and temperature in order to select the best location and baits to get participants on fish.  Get Outdoors (Greensboro, NC) and Hook, Line, and Paddle (Wilmington, NC) provide kayaks, PFDs, and paddles depending on where we are fishing.  The shop managers Will, Ryan, and Chris always take care to note any specific type of kayak we need, and their staff is eager to help us load as soon as we arrive.  

To change up the routine a little, we invited Soldiers (and their spouse, friend, etc) to Hook, Line, and Paddle’s (HLP) annual TJM Alzheimers Charity Tournament.  As we do before each event, we met the participants at Moon Hall on the Thursday prior and went over the rules, locations, tides, lodging, and directions.  While HOW provided the yaks, PFDs, paddles, whistles, poles, jigs, gulp, Gatorade, and snack bags, the Soldiers were responsible for their own transportation, lodging, and $50 tournament fee.

On Friday, 29 July, 2011, a total of 9 HOW participants met at HLP for the Captain’s Meeting.  Everyone picked up a captain’s bag, Panera sandwich, and most picked up something on the raffle.  Afterwards, Michelle, Celia, and Joe took Alex and Katie (his fiancé) to Island Tackle to pick up a bait bucket, spinners, and a casting net.  Matt then took a group pier fishing at Carolina Beach.

At 0600 Saturday morning, Celia, Joe, and Michelle ventured onto the Fort Fisher beach access for the first time.  It was exciting and scary to maneuver the rutted, soft sand in the dark for the first time. In addition, the white headlights that bounced in the rear view mirror made everyone’s heart race as all of the veteran yakfishers drove with a mission to reach the crossover and their favorite fishing hole a little faster.  Since Michelle is pregnant with twins, she only paddled approximately 300 yards from the vehicles and anchored but was able to land a nice sized redfish the earned her a 3rd place finish.  This was also Michelle’s first redfish of the season, and she was eager to grill the delicious fish she refers to as “cotton candy.”  Celia and Joe stayed close and ventured around the ICW enough to find some fishing holes that landed them some nice sized flounder.  Joe’s largest flounder earned him a 2nd place finish in the flounder division at his first saltwater tournament.  

Also at 0600, Matt launched from the Fort Fisher boat ramp with Alex, Katie, Marshall, Carly, and Eric.  This was the first time Matt led a group alone across the first basin and into the tall grass along the ICW.  Nonetheless, all of the participants had fished before and each was out to take home some dinner and potentially place in one of the divisions.  Alex landed a ~21 inch redfish and a huge skate that proved lots of fun to bring in.  Marshall and Carly landed a ~25 inch redfish that flipped out of the yak before they could get it measured.  Nonetheless, everyone returned safely to the weigh in with smiles on their faces at the fun competition.

The HLP team provided a good dinner provided by Middle of the Island (MOI) and announced the raffle and division winners.  Joe and Michelle (father and daughter) were interviewed by a local fishing magazine for their 2nd and 3rd place finishes, respectfully.  In addition, the HLP folks recognized HOW and the important work they do for injured veterans across the country.  Matt received the plaque from Ryan and Chris and agreed to deliver it to Mr. Tony Pugh for display at the Fort Bragg SFAC.  Thanks go out to HLP for putting on a great event and allowing the chapter to borrow a tandem kayak for the tournament.  Additional thanks go out to Get Outdoors for providing all of the solo kayaks and gear.  Everyone had a great time, and we plan to attend again next year.

Our next formal event is planned for Saturday, 27 August with Kaleb Dutil on NC’s coastline.  Hope to see some of you there.  Happy fishing =)

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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And...More Fish!!

It is amazing what can be accomplished when people come together. This past Friday/Saturday (22-23 July 2011), the Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW Chapter hosted 14 folks at Southport Marina. Matt (Chief) led the convoy from Moon Hall to Southport on Friday afternoon; and the group arrived in time to grab some dinner, bait, and a couple hours of pier fishing. 

This event, our first saltwater overnight trip, was made possible by the generosity of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).  Matt made first contact with the foundation over a month ago, while Celia handled the final arrangements.  The WWP reserved rooms for the group at a very nice hotel, The Wingate by Wyndham Southport, located just two miles from the Marina.  In addition, the Wingate staff was incredibly helpful and offered to put out breakfast items an hour early for HOW participants (0500).

Our local kayak shop, GetOutdoors (Greensboro), provided five kayaks, PFDs, and paddles to round out our fleet.  All of the yaks varied in size, color, make, and style, which enabled folks to see and try out one that best suited their needs

Early Saturday morning, sponsored fishing guide, Kaleb Dutil, donated his time and experience to serve as our expert navigator through the changing tides, tall grass, creek mouths, and oyster beds.  Despite record breaking temperatures throughout the week, the clouds and light breeze provided temporary relief for a great day of yakfishing.  In total, the group caught 17 fish that included flounder, redfish, croaker, skate/sting ray, and even one small black tip shark.  This was the first time many of the participants were able to experience the relaxing and rehabilitative nature of kayak fishing, and the response was very positive.  

We could not have held this event without our donors, sponsors, and volunteers.  Specifically, Celia and Matt continue to offer their time and energy in pulling these events together.  Kaleb donated his entire Saturday to navigating the group and helping them get on fish.  Joe (our staff mechanic) traveled all the way from Burlington, NC, to ensure the rescue skiff was ready to take on the NC coast, and also provided his saltwater knowledge to help various participants hook up with a fish.  The Southport Marina staff waived the launch fee for every vehicle participating in the event, and Jason's Deli (Fayetteville) provided discounted lunch boxes for the group.  And as mentioned earlier, GetOutdoors provided kayaks and gear; while, the WWP finaced lodging.  Thank you all for your dedication, time, and efforts in supporting our Military community.

Not surprisingly, the saltwater events continue to draw significant interest from participants since our NC coast offers nice sized fish, great cuisine, and of course, the beach.  As a result, we plan to have eight Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW participants at this weekend's TJM Tournament.  Hook, Line, and Paddle is sponsoring the event and offered to provide a tandem yak for two of our participants to use, and GetOutdoors is providing all of the solo yaks.  All of the participants have paddled with the chapter before and are excited to compete in what will be for most, their first saltwater kayak fishing tournament.  

Thank you for your continued support!  See you this weekend!  Happy Fishing!! =)

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Big Cats!!!  

On Thu, 7 July, Matt (aka Chief) took Carlton and his family fishing on the Cape Fear River at the William O. Husk Lock and Dam AKA Lock and Dam #3.  Carlton is also a Purple Heart recipient and Infantry Man who was injured in Iraq when his HMMWV was struck by a road side bomb.  He brought along his mother Anne, step father Joseph, wife Marie, daughter Rose, and son Carlton Jr. on the trip.  His mom and step dad were visiting from California.

They launched and began fishing around 1800 for Catfish.  Carlton's wife and children fished from the long sandy bank adjacent to the dam.  The others paddled around and fished using cut bait, but the Catfish weren't hitting on it so Matt tried a new technique and stated, "A local fisherman suggested just using the head as bait, so I put a red eared sun fish head with a circle hook through the eye socket and dropped it in the hole where I saw some guys pull a 16 and 13 pound Blue from the week before."  Well Matt must have received some good advice; because approximately 20 minutes later, he landed an 8 pound Flat Head Catfish.  Matt stated, "It was exciting since this is the first of the species I've ever caught!"

After that, the fever had set in.  Over the next few hours, Matt caught 3 more catfish with his biggest being a 15 pound blue (a personal best).  Best of all, Carlton landed a 24 pound, 37 in long Blue; this is also the biggest fish Carlton has ever caught.  You have to see the photos!

After cleaning up the gear and filleting the fish, Carlton and his family invited Matt over to their house to deep fry some of their fresh catch.  Matt stated, "We stayed up talking about the trip late into the night.  Without a doubt, Carlton is a future YakFisherman and plans to get his own Kayak.  The entire family had a fun and memorable experience, and it was awesome to get to take them out and land some fish."

Matt is one of the most passionate guys I know when it comes to fishing.  He makes everyone around him excited to get on the water; and he's always willing to take time out to help someone put on a lure, untangle their line, load/unload the gear, and take a picture of a fellow battle with their catch of the day!  The HOW Program, and the Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Chapter in particular, are grateful to have him on the team!  So for any of you catfisherman, make sure you catch up with Matt on our next outing to compare fish tales.  You'll catch the fever too!  =)

Happy fishing!

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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Independence Day Weekend - 3 Days of Kayak Fishing with Ft. Bragg/Cape Fear Chapter

On Friday, 1 July 2011, one of our HOW Soldiers and primary committee members (Matt Griffith – aka 'Chief') took three participants to the William O. Husk Lock and Dam, located on the Cape Fear River just off HWY 87 in Tar Heel, NC.  The HOW participants include: Jeffry, a Purple Heart Recipient injured in Iraq; Alex, a WTB Soldier, and his fiancé Katie.  Primary species of the evening (1700-2200) was catfish, using shrimp, liver, and cut bait.  Although they had a few good bites, unfortunately no one landed a fish.  They did, however, watch some nearby Soldiers land two, big Blue Catfish (13 and 16 pounds respectively) from the bank.  Plus, the participants seemed to enjoy the scenery and relaxing experience of being on the water.  This was the first time any of the trio had ever been kayak fishing.

On Saturday, 2 July 2011, Matt took another Soldier to Jordan Lake; and they fished from 0800 until 1400.  Justin, a Ranger and Sniper who broke his back in Theater during a direct fire engagement, brought in a Black Bass; and Matt landed two Bass and a Channel Catfish.  Matt said that although they didn't get any citations, it was a great day on the lake.

On Monday, 4 July 2011, at their eager request, Matt took Jeffry and Alex (from Friday's trip), and Scott, another wounded warrior, back to the William O. Husk Lock and Dam #3, located on the Cape Fear River.  It was Scott's first time on a Kayak, but he picked it up fast and had a great time.  They targeted big Catfish again; but unfortunately, this area hasn't been producing many big Cat's lately.  Nonetheless, they saw plenty of Carp, Pan fish, and American Shad jumping around and had a great time on the water.

On this same Independence Day weekend, Michelle and Celia went to Fort Story, Virginia Beach and met the Tidewater Chapter Coordinator (Tom VanderHeiden) and TKAA Tournament Director (Wayne Bradby).  Both guys grew up around the Military and provide a tremendous amount of support to our wounded warriors and Military veterans.  They showed us some safe fresh and saltwater launch sites for HOW participants, their local bait shop, the hotel/meeting location, and some local campground sites.  We checked camping rates, spoke to park directors, and even got to meet 'Kayak Kevin' at the bait shop.  Kayak Kevin is a die-hard, high energy kayak fisherman that loves extreme adventures, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay down the Atlantic Coast, where he can catch big fish from his yak!  Overall, it was a great opportunity to meet some amazing folks that truly support the HOW program; their hospitality and shared knowledge will undoubtedly benefit the HOW participants in this year's event and down the road.

This coming weekend, the HOW Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Chapter will be at Falls Lake (Beaver Dam) in conjunction with Bob Dainton's YakFish series.  Bob (Toba) offered to help Michelle out with some of the first time yakfishers while some of the other HOW participants hope to compete for prizes.  Thank you to GetOutdoors (Greensboro, NC) for offering to let our local chapter borrow yaks and gear for the event, and to the Falls Lake Park Rangers who waived the entrance fee for HOW participants.

Hope to see you there!  Happy Fishing!

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

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NCKFA Meet & Greet - 25 June 2011

The fourth annual North Carolina Kayak Fishing Association (NCKFA) Meet & Greet was another big success.  Mr. Ashley Williams (otherwise known as "Druminator" on the NCKFA forum) hosted the event with his wife, family, and friends.  All proceeds from the event's luncheon social were donated to a young girl who is fighting cancer.

A large turn-out of roughly 50-60 yaker's showed up for the event to put a face to the name, check out each other's rigs, and inquire about the hottest fishing holes and baits.  Despite the challenging winds and current, everyone seemed to have an enjoyable day on the water.  Fishing was rather slow for the entire group, but lunch (hot dogs, warm baked beans, chips, and sodas) provided a great treat to a rough morning on the water.

The Fort Bragg/Cape Fear HOW crew (made up 2 Vets, 2 Soldiers, and a Soldier's father) worked together to learn the ropes of putting on a HOW event.  Of course, Kaleb prepped us well with maps and routes to avoid the low tide and hopefully score some fish.  

From unloading and loading all the gear and yaks to launching and communicating on the water, everyone was able to acquaint themselves with the terrain while seeking out possible fishing spots and rest areas for our next saltwater event.  Everyone learned a lot and is ready to take on the next larger HOW event.  

At the end of the day, it was great to have met a lot of new folks that are fellow Marines, veterans, know a veteran, or just want to be a part of the HOW Program.  We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at some of our other outings.  We can always use another guide, gear, or chef. =)

Our next HOW outing will be 9 July at Falls Lake, NC.

Michelle Little
Heroes on the Water
Fort Bragg/Cape Fear Coordinator

6/22/11 Central Virginia Chapter Hosted Vets at Sandy River Reservoir

Greeted by a newly installed kayak ramp provided by Prince Edward County to make it easier to launch kayaks at Sandy River Reservoir, the Central Virginia Chapter provided an exceptional day of kayak fishing for a well deserving group of Veterans.  

As the Veterans arrived, everyone was excited to get out on the water. HOW volunteers were prepared to respond to special considerations needed, especially for one individual paralyzed from the chest down. Working along with the VA coordinator and therapist, he was outfitted in a kayak and set off paddling on the water – thrilled!

All the heroes and the guides launched and got settled in their kayaks, out on the water, and just let nature and fishing ease their minds and bodies for a time. Everyone seemed to be having a blast as the pictures show. The horn blew that three tone blast way too soon and everyone paddled in for a scrumptious lunch generously provided by Charley’s Waterfront Café in Farmville, as a donation to the HOW cause.

Kayak fishing works to provide a sport that just about anyone can enjoy themselves or with family and friends, despite wounds, whether physical, mental or emotional. It provides a sense of freedom – from the wheelchair, the rigors of therapy, and the mental thoughts and stress of combat and recovery.

The greatest testimonial is when a HOW participant becomes a HOW volunteer…Hooked!

Click to visit the Central Virginia Chapter Facebook page for more information and pictures.

Jim Shank, Central Virginia Chapter coordinator

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6/4/11 Crystal Coast NC Chapter Launches with Outing at Hammocks Beach

The Crystal Coast Chapter of HOW held it's first Meet and Greet on Saturday June 4th at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro NC. We had 15 Wounded warriors, family members and volunteers attended the event, many of who have never been kayaking or fishing.  Ret. Marine MGySgt. Gail Horne commented that she really "enjoyed kayak fishing as it was something that she could do with her teen age daughter".  During the event, participants decided that the chapter will hold a monthly meet and greet at a different location along to NC Coast.  Our next Meet and Greet will be held July 16 on the Neuse River in New Bern NC.
During the month the Crystal Coast Chapter recruited several new volunteers, and provided information to wounded warriors and their family members through their display at the Dick's Sporting Goods annual Kayak sale, and at the Swansboro Military Appreciation Day event.

During the month of June the Chapter also made a community connection by becoming an official member of the Onslow County Council of Veterans Organizations which is a organization to coordinate activities between the many veterans groups and veteran serving agencies in the area surrounding Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeuene.

Next month, besides our fishing outings, Chapter representatives will be participating in a presentation to all Family Readiness Officers and Key Volunteers on Camp Lejeune and will participating at the Topsail Island Earth and Surf Festival.

Click to visit our Crystal Coast Chapter Facebook page for more information and pictures.

Patrick Curley, Crystal Coast Chapter Coordinator

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6/3/11 Tidewater VA Chapter Outing at Owl's Creek

Heroes on the Water Tidewater Chapter’s June 3rd outing at Owl’s Creek Boat ramp was a huge success.   This was our first weekday event of the year, a departure from the usual weekend outing.  We will be planning more of these weekday outings, both volunteers and Vets seemed to like the less stressed fishery a weekday offers.

The weather was wonderful, clear skies and high temps in the 80’s, a welcome change from the mid 90’s earlier in the week.  It was a bit breezy, but with the early high tide, we were able to use the grass beds to secure us if we weren’t taking advantage of the tidal drift.

Fishing was hit and miss, but that’s what fishing is and it didn’t lessen the day a bit.  After hearing one of our Vets comment that he never catches anything, we put one of our volunteers in the hot seat.  Wayne Bradby, a Malibu Kayak Pro Staff Member was tasked with putting this Vet on some fish!  Turns out that this Vet ended up catching the first fish of the day, a small flounder but it brought a big smile and got rid of the fishing skunk.  Thanks Wayne, job well done!

Volunteer Darrell Hollifield ended up picking the hot spot of the day and made sure a few of the Vets took advantage of the spot.  Speckled Trout and Croaker turned on and a couple keepers were on the stringer and several others got away in the nick of time.  It all provided several laughs and a few choice words, but either way a story was created.

A BIG thank you to the following for their generous support to make this event happen: Danny at Ocean’s East 2 Tackle Shop for spooling up all our rods and reels, Eric and Chris at ServiceMaster for loaning us their HUGE trailer to transport all of our gear for the day, volunteers Darrell, Kevin, Lars, Murray, and Wayne, you guys are awesome...and to Debbie and Jamie VanderHeiden for preparing a great salad.

Click to visit our Tidewater Chapter Facebook page for more information and pictures.

Tom VanderHeiden, Tidwater Chapter Coordinator

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5/21/11 Yak Attack 4th Annual Kayak Fish for Charity Tournament, Virginia

It just doesn't get any better than this tournament.

"On a very personal level, to help a VET get out on the water and have some fun. I am very honored to have been given the opportunity to help take someone out and show them some of the pure joy and stress relief I get from kayak fishing. This is a very small thing we can do for someone who has risked life and limb to give us the freedom to what we choose." Sentiments of a HOW volunteer.

The vets who participated had a great time and are 'hooked' on returning to the water again soon. Many volunteers helped to make it a exceptional day of fishing for the vets on the lake. One volunteer hooked a personal best 24" bass late in the day... not bad...and there was also a 21.5" catfish boated by a competitor...There was also a 21.5" catfish boated by a competitor.

Click HERE for pictures of the event.

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4/30/11 Battle in the Boro Kayak Fishing Tournament in Greensboro, NC

What a great day for our Heroes! Two Wounded Warriors took 2nd and 3rd place in the spinning division and one took 3rd place in the fly division of the Battle of the Boro Kayak Fishing Tournament in Greensboro, NC. And, to top that off, other Wounded Warriors cleaned house in the raffle.

Cape Fear HOW Chapter Coordinator, Kaleb Dutil expressed "If Heroes On The Water continues this track record at tournaments they may not invite us anymore, LOL. I want to thank everyone for coming out. I think we all had a good time and everyone went home with something."

Enjoy the event pictures and video! And, it you catch the fever, check out HOW's upcoming events and join us.

3/5/11 HOW Outing in McKinney, TX

Founder and President of Heroes on the Water, Jim Dolan, along with his wife Sally, invited wounded warriors and some friends of Heroes on the Water to experience a day of kayak fishing - in the wind! While the sudden cooler weather and brisk wind may have impacted the fishing element of the excursion, it was a great day in spreading the word and gaining support for what Heroes on the Water does for injured service men and women.

Board member, Dee Elliott, settled in on the lake and Kate Gilpin survived her first time in a kayak, stating that she experienced the relaxation of gliding across the water from the moment she set off across the water.

BAMC/ San Antonio, TX

After breakfast Thanksgiving morning, it was down to the water and into the kayaks.  One warrior, Fernando, had never been in a kayak, so he was given some basic instruction, and off they all went.  After paddling up-river about 40 yards, Fernando looked up with a big smile and said “This is Awesome!”  The group fished for a couple of hours and then made their way back downriver to Rio Raft.

Later that day, it was off to VFW Post 8573 in Sattler for Thanksgiving dinner. VFW 8573 is very active in the community and one of the things they do every year is provide a complete Thanksgiving meal to the community.  There, the group got to meet Bill, the post commander, and had a nice conversation with him. 

After the meal, it was back to Rio Raft, and Fernando went back on the water and fished until dark.  
The only keeper fish caught was an 18in rainbow trout.  That was added to the evening menu.

After some time fishing Friday morning, as the group was packing up, Fernando said that he had been on several trips for wounded warriors, and this was the first trip that he felt comfortable on.  He said that he didn't feel “exploited” or “put on display”.  That was confirming that what Heroes on the Water tries very hard to do, it to make the HOW outings relaxed and enjoyable.