The 14 th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on Flathead Lake came off successfully under sunny skies today. A record total of 90 anglers with disabilities caught a record150 lake trout, fishing from Montana Charterboat Association boats and private craft. Many lake trout were kept and filleted, but many, including a half-dozen large fish up to 35 inches, were caught and released. At the barbeque, anglers and helpers enjoyed deep-fat fried lake trout and other foods.
Anglers hailed from the upper Flathead Valley, Kalispell, Polson, Ronan, Libby, Eureka, and as far south as Missoula. Anglers ranged from 5 to 80 years of age.
This year, most anglers launched from Hidden Harbor (formerly Woods Bay Marina). Some anglers launched from Bayview Resort and Marina Cay. All anglers, volunteers, and helpers converged at Woods Bay RV Park and Campground for the barbeque, which was attended by more than 200 people.
Barry Schrammeck and family of Woods Bay RV Park and Campground provided their facility for the barbeque. Doug Averill and Jim Frizzell made available Hidden Harbor where most boats were launched. Doug Averill of Flathead Lake Lodge provided boats and launching facilities. Thanks also to Marina Cay and Bayview Resort.
Charter Boat Captains included Shorty Goggins and Val Schweigert from A-Able Fishing Charters; Jeff Rach, Stacy Ross, and Tim Shattuck of Flathead Lake Charters, Jerry Landskron of Woods Bay Charters, and Scott Horne and Kevin Barrows from Flathead Lake Lodge. Other Boat Captains included Daryle Handy, Frank Cooley, Dan Hartwell, Jess Michelson, Chuck Williams, Tony Anderson, and Jim Vashro.
Anglers received prizes donated by the Sportsman and Ski Haus, and other businesses. Others donating to the event included: Flathead Lake Lodge, Fun Beverage, Super 1 Foods, Pepsi, Costco, Woods Bay Market, Smiths, A&W Root Beer of Columbia Falls, Frito Lay Chips, and Meadowgold.
The Fish, Wildlife and Parks Crossing the Barriers Committee coordinated the event. Jerry Howard serves as chairman and main organizer. Other volunteers included Ilene Howard, Peggy Marsh, Dawn Blumefield, Clarisa Brubaker, Ben Brubaker, Tim Brubaker, Kevin, Troy, and Heather Fraley, Karyn Jones and the staff from the Lakeview Care Center. Committee Chairman Jerry Howard baked 40 dozen cookies for the event. Also helping out were FWP’s Sue McDonald, Chuck Bartos, Lee Anderson, Perry Brown, Nathan Reiner, Mark Deleray, Garland Hamilton, Jim Satterfield, Ben Chappelow, and Jim Vashro.
Jeff Rach and the Badrock Canyon Band provided bluegrass music for the event. Band members included: Jeff Rach (banjo); Todd Noble (Guitar); Steve Kendrick (base); and Paul Sebastian (fiddle).
The Fishing Without Ba rriers 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.
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