Kelsey Bass Ranch, 50 wounded warriors served...

[Danglin]

 Could not be more proud and so impressed with all who came out and worked so hard to give back to our wounded warriors...

 Frankfishing, Bigfoot, RacinRacidRob,,, Kayakjack and Natalie, Zisco, Yester, Raydon, BrianG aka Lost Mojo,

Team_Chancho and Kat and Laura, Big J, Grumpy, Scott and Dave in the power boat and belly boat,

Chief Curtis, Bob, Jeff and Jet.... new volunteers and shore help...

HolyCow...  That is what we had??? I must be forgetting some and I'm sorry if I did, I'll get ya up later as I'm am just wiped out....  Ton of work by you all, got it done and showed nearly 50 wounded vets a great time today...

I still can't believe this is what we had to pull this off....  wow...

WE reinvented the wheel out there and it was off the hook,  breakfast burritos for the troops as they arrived...  out on the lake in a zone defense with the ncka we had to patrol the water,

Lunch of hotdogs, hamburgers, baby back ribs, Gourmet grilled tofu?  ,  lots of other goodies... weather great, everyone had a great time...

 (fishing could have been better.... )

 Tough bite again, ya really had to know how to work it, still some vets got on fish and broke off, shore anglers seem to be having more luck with losing fish in the weeds, but I will say, the BlueGill team on the pier killed...

 Natalie and Andrew got their first fish and it was on after that... truly awesome watching...

 Had a vet come out his his son and camp over with us, they had a great time and again, really kool watching Natalie and Andrew have a good time running around...

2 other vets showed with their sons and we got them out there too...

really tired, more later,

Just can't say enough about all who help to make this happen, by being there,,,

 by loaning kayaks, Thanks Hojoman and Scallen, and Hojoman again for getting us that Turkey and paper products... saved my bacon again as I just had to keep moving and taking Ibuprofen, can't do that on a empty stomach!!!

 Thanks Again All     

[kayakjack]

Totally awesome event !!  I was so impressed how well all the volunteers came together and pulled this off. It was largest and smoothest running HOW event yet. It just goes to show that when you get 20 sober kayakfisherman all in the same place at the same time,if lightening doesn't strike us dead, anything is possible. Everyone should feel really good about what we did yesterday.
The guy I fished with was from brooklyn via Iraq. He was a passionate handball afficianado who had never been in a yak. I could see the happiness flowing from him as he peddled through the warm breeze across the lake. Just a pair of sunglasses and a smile. A soldier named Brian brought his son Andrew who hit it off with my daughter Natalie. They paddled around in a tandem and fished off the dock together. Natalie caught her first fish ever. It was a 12 1/2 inch bluegill. She is already a better fisherman than me.

[Danglin]

More pics,

Lost Mojo on patrol towing back a stranded duo,

 few pics of Kelsey's very healthy LMBs,

and the monster Bluegill doc where Natalie was Queen...   

[racinrob]

Just got home. Mr Kelsey let us stay over Sat night which was a good thing. I took off with Zisco and about 5 vets Sat morn. Gave a few instructions on how to use mini brush hogs or Senkos. 5 mins later Zisco and I were sitting next to each other fishing and the other guys were all gone. They all went in different directions in search of fish and I thought, well, I hope Don doesn't say anything about deserting them. Kept an  eye on them from distance. Went back for more vets to help. One hopped on my T160 and took off like a bullet. I finally caught him on the other side of the lake. When I caught up I asked if he needed help fishing. Gave a few quick pointers and he fished, for about 2 mins. Then he just took off again saying he was going to make a lap around and go in. Man that guy was fast. After that I just cruised around helping out around the lake. Gving one guy a pointer I said do this, and I hooked up a nice  fatty. Prfect timing. Fishing was slow Sat, but today, awesome. Got on the water at 7, off at 9:30. All the fish I caught were 16-19 inch and plump. I caught more today than the other days combined. 10 plus. Any way, it was another good event and I was happy to do my part. Pics later.

[racinrob]

Also, before I left, Bob and I cleaned up the area real good. All trash, cans, socks, etc. And I got my frog back. Those darn 20 high in the tree casts suck.


Bigfoot, I have your shoes. Had to put in the trailer because they did not fit in the motorhome.

[racinrob]

Here are some pics from Sat. Saturdays instructional bass too. Also 1 Fri Bass, 18"+.
also learned i could carry 6 kyaks on my trailer.

Franks 18"+ dockside bass.

Pair of dive booties left at my motorhome. Zisco?

[racinrob]

These are Sunday morn fish I caught, but not all of them. Trolled, cast, and whatever I did worked. Plastics, cranks.

I think I forgot Franks pic in the last post, so here it is.

The right side of every pic is cut off. If you want to see the actual pic just click. I don't know why it does this.

[Danglin]

well, I hope Don doesn't say anything about deserting them.

No worries RacinRacidRob...

 I should have warned you that most of those guys are active duty Army Combat and done this before,

they could take care of themselves, SGM, SSG etc..

that's why I gave you 6 of them, you were perfect... 

Thanks for all your help too, driving to pick up the extra kayaks, picking up last minute stuff from the store,

 you really have been there every step of the way....

Sounds like Kelsey was finally on,

Guess I should have stayed....  good thing I didn't...

 I'm totally frozen up today... ouch...  waa...

 Thanks Again for everyone's hard work and dedication to this program...

 Really showing the true sprit of ncka and what Kayakfishing people are all about....
 
 Like I've said before....

                 If the world were more like KayakFishing People,

                         The World would be a much better place.....


     Lets keep spreading the Madness.....

                 

[racinrob]

I knew they were. Just surprised to look up and they were gone. It was cold this morning and rained. You should have stayed. Was wishing for a jacket believe it or not.

[yester]

I had a blast out there even though it was hot and windy.  Much great enjoyment of guiding my vet and seeing what used to be a passion avid fisherman.  HOW event gave him time to remember what it meant to be out on water even though it meant not catching anything.  As a fisherman or women anyone can relate to that.   

Very impressed with how everything went and everyone for I know much of it takes great effort from time, money, additional kayaks, volunteers and Don for making it possible for HOW to happen.   Just wish I had more time with my vet on the water because he sure liked to get back on the kayak. 

So funny how sometimes when you think you've lost something it ends up getting found.  So everything is okay now.  Haha!   


Oh!  And also want to thank VA for making the event happen to bring the Vets along with family their destination and back home safely.  Wow!

[Danglin]

Awesome!!!

 Glad You found your stuff Yester!!! Kool,  so far all went smooth as silk,

except for Raydon carving up his arm for a vet...

 Hope that nasty wound is doing better Raydon...

[Frankfishing]

Always nice being around those who give! You guys are the best.
Personally, I got a big wash of gratitude being around the vets and hearing their stories. I had the pleasure of sitting down with a few and just listening.When one of the vets, Dennis, walked up and said he wanted to help cook it was an honor and privilege to watch him work on the grill. We talked and kidded around while cooking and he just felt right at home on that grill. He had some heavy head trauma and I could see his unseen wounds have'n  been there myself.
My partner Curtis showed up from our First Responders group and did what was asked. Not bad for a guy who was Chief of his department. All you guys made me proud of your actions and put out hard work and not just words.
I want to personally thank the Kelsey's for their outstanding hospitality. Also their ranch foreman Juan who was on it.
To Waste Management for their donation of Prota Potties for the Handicapped and all the trash recepticals they delivered.
I even got to teach Brain G's girlfriend how to fish and catch. Just a total blast.
Zisco I have your chews. You know those Italian fashion chews you left at the park.
I also want to thank you guys for not detoxing on this trip. Especially Rob and Jack who would of thought two days without, I am impressed . 
Don what can I say another fine event in the books. HUHRAW!

[zisco]

it was great  turn out.  nice to see so many  people having  such good fun.  every body loved the  lunch  and the company.   Thanks for picking up my  chooze
 Rob and Frank.    good to be out   with  good company.

[raydon]

I'm going to need that HOW accident form, Don.  And Jack, can you email me a workers comp injury form?
 NOT! 

I got into NCKA because of HOW.  Two great programs in one.  The feedback I got from the vets was positive and much appreciated.  I tend to forget how much these vets have given to our country and I
feel so good being able to share a day with them.    I have many  memories of the day--putting a large vet into a sport Hobie and having the water level rise  almost to the top as he  peddled out.   Taking another vet across the field and sharing his story as we fished.

Thanks to our guys that showed up and stayed all day.  It is a privilege to work with you.

[Big J]

What a great event! I don't know that I contributed much other than socializing with the vets and taking LOTS of pictures. I am sending a disk to one of the VA people who will get copies to the participants. I'll send one to you, too, Don, if you PM your mailing address to me.

The Catch of the Day is posted below. Ladies rule!

Everyone seemed to be jazzed about kayaking and really content after both the breakfast and lunch feasts. You guys are masters at the grill!

It was an honor to be part of such a wonderful way to support our troops. Thanks for your dedication to HOW, Don, and all your hard work to make it happen.