Breaking barriers: anglers with disabilities hit Flathead Lake
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WOODS BAY — Clutching fishing poles, containers of bait and wearing life jackets, about 61 people were ready to fish at Hidden Harbor near Woods Bay on June 21. They were there for the 19th annual Fishing without Barriers Day. Sponsored by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Crossing the Barriers Committee and the Montana Charter Boat Association, the program means free fishing for anglers with disabilities.
Anglers came from Anaconda, Missoula and all over the Mission Valley, including Ronan and Polson. Western Montana Mental Health brought five cars of anglers. Sunshine and calm water beat last year’s rain and turbulent lake conditions.
John Fraley, FWP Communications and Education Program Manager, said about 90 people came out to enjoy the day, with many relaxing on a boat ride or fishing off the dock.
One of the first to go fishing was Donna Commers, 84, who lives in the Lake View Care Center in Bigfork. Commers, who’s fished a lot throughout her life, hooked a 37” inch lake trout.
“I was as surprised as the fish was,” she said. When Commers saw a smaller fish caught by someone else, she dismissed it as “just a minnow.”
The number of charter boats was down this year, Fraley said, but individuals with fishing boats pitched in so everyone who wanted to got to fish. Jens Gran, a Polson fisherman, again brought his boat to take participants out.
Bill Greenlee, FWP, got to Hidden Harbor early and rigged fishing poles; then he baited hooks and helped people on and off boats.
After fishing, besides a picnic with barbecued burgers and hot dogs, there was turkey, salads, and 40 dozen chocolate chip cookies made by Jerry Howard, who’s a mainstay of the Fishing Without Barriers program, according to Fraley. The cooks even fried the fish caught by the participants.
Before or after lunch, attendees were urged to enter a casting contest. Whoever could hook a rubber fish won a frisbee or a tackle box donated by Fred Najarian.
Three volunteers from Sportsman Ski Haus came to help, and the business donated two or three dozen hats, water bottles and a nice pair of binoculars for the captain’s drawing.
“It’s a nice way to spend the longest day of the year,” Howard commented.
