Thank you so much to everyone who came to help and everyone in the background....
Not sure of all details but we had somewhere around 30 vets...
about the same on Volunteers.... lots of food....
Some Good stories to come.... and everyone had fun...
even me.... :smt003
So tired... can't think straight...
special thanks again to everyone for going out of your way to a lake that was bound to be tough to fish and show these Brave Men and Women that we Really do appreciate their Service and
Want them to Join NCKA!!!! :occasion17:
Everyone worked very hard and hate to single out anyone...
But a Quick Special Thank You to KayakJack for Cooking all week and moving that Mobile Kitchen out there...
Wilderness Hunter for Beating the Bushes and Pounding the Pavement for all that Great stuff...
RancinRob... Oops... racinrob for getting it there... :smt002
would not have survived without that COFFEE!!!!!
Ben, Charlie and Scott for bringing their boats....
Frankfishing for Keeping me sane.... :smt101
Everyone deserves Huge props for what you did , but too tired to get it all right and will get back to ya soon....
Lots of people to thank...
Thanks Again ,,,
and everyone was also very generous with the donation box...!!!
I'm pretty sure it's covered!!!! Thanks so Much!!!
OutStanding Job Everyone...
More to come.... Good Night.....
Sailfish:
Arrived at the park around 7:15am. Took a snap shot of several deers walking in the parking lot. After unloading my yak, came over to help setting up the fishing rods to get them ready for the day. The breakfast was delicious and the hot sauce made by Jack was "perfect" with a good spicy kick to it. My fishing partner for the day was David. He's a retired veteran who served our country for over 30 years and a "hard core" fisherman. This was his first time on the kayak but he handled it like a pro. We started out fishing close to the boat launch and moved to a different spot every 30 minutes or so if the fish don't bite. He got several hits but none of them stick. We came back to the picnic area for a quick but great lunch and got back on the water to try a new spot right across from our picnic area. Less than 15 minutes after I threw the bait out, I got a good hit which was taking line from my free pool. I count 1001-1003 (per Frank's instructions this morning in his quick group tutorial) and closed the bail and set the hook...Fish On!!! It fought very good and ran toward the submerged tree to my left, I tried to steer it away but it's too late as I'm now playing tuck-of-war with the fish wrapped around the submerged branches! David came over to assist but we can't get it out so he got out of the kayak into the water in an attempt to pull the tree branch toward the shore. I pleased to him to get out of the water since he might get cold but he said the water was warm and determined to untangle the line. He could feel the fish hitting his leg but can't reach it (the water was about 6ft deep). I told him to forget about the fish but he wanted to try one more time. Unfortunately, the line snapped and the fish was gone. I told David that I would love to have him as a fishing partner any day and if next time he fish in Benicia (he told me earlier he fish there a lot in the past) I'll loan him my kayak so we can fish together again. Once again, thank you David for trying so hard to help me and I hope to see/fish with you in the near future. I saw lots of smiling face today, too bad the fish was not cooperated due to lots of bait fish available in the lake. I would like to thanks Don, Jack, and everyone who participated and make this event a success one. Here are some pictures of the day...
Sailfish:
A few more...and guess what Mooch was doing? :smt003
Frankfishing:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=26805.0;attach=76652;image The attack of the feather. Look out....He's dangerous!
Again I am proud to say I am part of NCKA. I had the privilege to talk to David prior to him becoming Sailfishes private retriever and he had to concentrate to get what he was thinking out. This individual vet had just gone through some major trauma and was grasping for words. However, after Sailfishes retrieval class he was animated and crisp with the incident mentioned and very fired up. I don't think this would pass the VA protocol for treatment but after witnessing this myself I would have to say that David was living the moment rather then the past. Sailfish great job and thank you for your service to this vet. Only one thing if you want a retriever I have a couple left from Bella's litter that you can purchase ;) Love Frankfishing
kayakjack:
It was real cool to be helping the vets again. We put out a wicked spread with bbq chicken,tri-tip,homemade blackbean salad,potato salad,chips,homemade salsas,homemade chili,fresh-cut fruit,pastries,peet's coffee,hot cider,bagels w/creamcheese. There was some serious brotherhood goin down at delvalle yesterday. I got to go on a guided tour of the lake with tiny and a few of the vets on the pontoon boat. We had a real good time for sure. One of the vets named Jerry,has his own hobie mirage-drive boat that he pedals with a prothstetic leg. He has a great sense of humor and is a member here now. I hope he can make it out to some hook-ups and fish with us more. Thanks to my galley crew,tiny,bigfoot,jedmo,great bass2's wife and the other lady(sorry i forgot your name). Special props to guitarzan who loaded and unloaded every piece of gear with me twice,worked hard in the galley,made time to mingle with the vets and still found time to inundate us with ciffisms. Danglin' thanks for your countless hours swimming through red tape to make it happen.