Fishing day provides rare opportunity

The Hidden Harbor marina in Woods Bay was host to the 17th Annual Fishing Without Barriers last Thursday and despite dark skies, there were more participants than ever.

"I love it," said Jerry Howard, chairman of the Fish Wildlife and Parks Crossing the Barriers Committee. "It shows that our program is getting out and that people are starting to find out what we're doing. It has really blossomed into a beautiful event."

The Fishing Without Barriers day is held annually to provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to get out on Flathead Lake and enjoy fishing with the experts. For many of the anglers, it is their only fishing experience for the year.

During the weeks leading up to this year's event Howard was looking through old newspaper clippings from past Fishing Without Barriers days and he was surprised at what he saw.

"I was looking through the archives and I stared laughing," Howard said. "The second year we only had 35 people and the first year we had even less. Once people discover it they want to keep coming back."

The same is true for Howard, who has been a part of Fishing Without Barriers day since its inception.

"It's just a great thing," Howard said. "It's giving back to those that don't usually get to do this. How many people can afford to go out on a charter boat? We get them all out there for free though. I go home and I have a smile on my face every year."

There were about 65 lake trout caught by the more than 100 anglers who attended the event. Two of those fish measured 39 inches in length and some weighed upwards of 25 pounds.

Once fishing had commenced, about 250 people, including anglers, helpers and family members, took part in a barbecue and fish fry on the hill above the docks. Jeff Rach and the Badrock Canyon Band provided bluegrass music for entertainment at the luncheon.

Anglers hailed from the upper Flathead Valley, Kalispell, Polson, Ronan, Eureka and as far away as Missoula. They were taken out on about 20 different boats that were captained by members of the Montana Charter Boat Association and volunteers who brought their private watercraft.

Residents of Bigfork's Lake View Care Center have been among those who take part in Fishing Without Barriers for the past six years.

"It's a great opportunity for the residents to go on boats and get out on the water even if they don't fish," said Karyn Jones, Lake View Care Center activities director. "It's something that they have done their whole lives and we like them to be able to keep doing the things they have enjoyed doing before they came to live at the center."

Jones said that one of the best aspects of the program is that the residents family members can join them on the boats. She said that many families would like to be able to take residents out on their boats with them, but there are problems with mobility and accommodating wheelchairs.

"It's a day for all levels no matter what their cognitive or physical ability level is," Jones said.

This year, 10 residents from Lake View Care Center went out on the boats and another 30 attended the picnic.

"It's definitely a teamwork day and all of my fellow staff members come out to help," Jones said. "I couldn't do it without them."

The unique fishing opportunity is worth the extra work for Jones and her staff, though, as they know how much it means to the residents.

"They absolutely love it," Jones said. "They think it's wonderful to be able to go out on the water. Those that want to fish can and they are able to visit with the boat captains and other participants. It makes them feel like they are still a viable part of the community and that they are not forgotten."

The annual fishing trip also reminds many residents of old memories from their younger years.

"It makes them reminisce about when they were married or when they were raising their children and they would go fishing, so it bring out a lot of stories," Jones said.

The benefits of Fishing Without Barriers are many for the participants and the volunteers and both Jones and Howard, said that they are extremely thankful to everyone who volunteers their time and makes donation each year to the event.