Ray & Raydon @ Kelsey Ranch

I had the pleasure of taking Ray. USMC, Army, infantry, out fishing at  Kelsey Ranch Friday.  The weather was perfect 73  and the water temp was  57 to 61.  We didn't catch any in the morning.  After lunch, I took Ray over to the shore line to give him a few pointers on how to retrieve a
plastic worm on the bottom.  During the second cast,  as I was explaining how a bite looks and feels, Mr. LMB decides to  smack the worm.  I hooked him and handed it over to Ray, who  fought him for a few seconds and then the fish was off.  That was all
Ray needed.  He was fired up.  We moved to the south end of the lake and between Ray and I, we C&R about 10 LMB.   This was the first time Ray had been in a kayack, and caught LMB.  Additionally, he said this was the first time he had gone anywhere without his wife/caregiver for 4 years.  He was in desert storm,  and then was injuried in Iraq by a IED and subsquently suffered a stroke.  He had limited range of motion in his left arm and lost his left eye.   While we were out,  the only time he asked for help was when a LMB was going back and forth under the kayck and had him twisted like a pretzel. He asked that I not post his pictures. 

Great report and pics, thanks for sharing them.   More important, the time you spent with Ray fishing, and somtimes pics aren't required.   

Nicely done brother Raydon !! So what did you guys have for lunch?

That's awesome Raydon!

Looks like it was a great day on the water. Way to stick with it and get him on the fish.

Nice job Ray,  Keep up the good work! 

Well done Ray.  Thanks for everything...

Great job Raydon, way to hook'em and him!

Nicely done brother Raydon !! So what did you guys have for lunch?

We had egg salad and ham sandwiches and lots of conversation.   Saturday he sent me a text message and asked if he could go out again.    I hope he comes to the June Kelsey ranch.  His will to get better  and back to living a normal life is strong. 

Very Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

 

Right on Raydon!!!

This truly awesome and you could have not picked a more perfect day, what is they say, the third time is a charm...

Really though,   

So cool,  and can't even begin to tell you how much this means.... but I'll try... 

We have been trying from the beginning to get to wounded warriors who could best use our help in letting them know just how much our great sport can help ease their pain...

The problem has been getting access to vets who could best use our help...  What we have done over the last 4 years is put on these huge events, gaining respect from the different warrior outfits.  This was a first as the VA reached out to us to help out this one particular person who was having a hard time.  Raydon has been out there from the beginning and it actually took several phone calls and several e-mails by Raydon, the therapist and myself not too mention a couple dates that needed to be canceled.  Another hats off to Babymanbe and Daleshark as they were waiting in the wings too.

This is what we hope to see for the future of HOW.  Taking a few wounded warriors out for a nice day of kayak fishing.  That being done by different members, different times at different locals. We are getting the acknowledgment of what we do and that is a big HATS OFF  to all of you who have helped pull off these giant events. You would be amazed at how much at the end of the day actually happens when you total up everything contributed counting time, materials, kayaks etc...etc..., I fill out donation slips to the VA and have to count what our donation would be worth if we had to purchase everything including hiring people to help, it totals into the thousands.  Again, just goes to show what an amazing bunch of volunteers at NCKA we have. We will still have large events events as everyone seems to like them and they are getting easier to put on as we now have files at the various agencies and they know we do a good job.

What happened here with Raydon is just amazing and been waiting for it for a long time. Awesome Raydon!!!
  and Thank you for making it happen!!!   

 Sorry to get long winded here it's just means so much as to how we have evolved ...

Also sorry to not be there with ya Raydon, still sick as a dog and this is the first time I've felt well enough to get on the computer... Ugg...

Another update...  We have made contact with a very good wounded warrior outfit up north and they have a couple guys that want to get out.  This is in the Napa area and I'm still waiting to make further contact to figure the details but figure we'll probably go to Henesy or Berryessa. More to come on that...

Right on Raydon!!!   

 

You a class A act Raydon!!  I'm proud to call you a friend. 

Well done, Brother Raydon.