Corps of Engineers park rangers from The Dalles and Bonneville dams hosted a special Take a Warrior Fishing event in partnership with the Catch a Special Thrill foundation Sept. 22.
Boat captains from as far as Wilsonville and Albany, Ore., and Battleground, Wash., volunteered their time and their boats for this morning event. The boats and their passengers launched from The Dalles Dam North Shore and headed out on the Columbia River in search of bass and other game fish.
Six veterans who served in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan and their families participated in this first local Corps-CAST event. Like the volunteers, the veterans traveled from as far as Beaverton and Milwaukie, Ore., with a few locals from The Dalles and Rufus, Ore.
Bonneville's ranger patrol boat provided safety oversight during the event and the Corps’ rangers offered water safety grab bags filled with trinkets to all participants and volunteers.
CAST and its Take a Warrior Fishing program encourages those who have served in the military to explore and enjoy public lands, and supports the President's America's Great Outdoors Initiative, which seeks to reinvigorate citizens, especially young people, by reconnecting them to the outdoors. The fine September day at The Dalles was relaxing and enjoyable for everyone - with plenty of fish to go around!
All State and North West Industrial Supply helped sponsor the event by providing a barbeque lunch and free t-shirts to all volunteers and participants. Grinders, a local coffee bistro, also donated coffee coupons to everyone.
For information on future fishing and recreational opportunities please visit: http://www.castforkids.org, or check out our recreation information under the Missions tab at www.nwp.usace.army.mil.