Fishing Without Barriers celebrates 20th anniversary

By DAVID REESE

Bigfork Eagle

Jerry Howard looked pretty pleased last Thursday, watching people enjoying deep-fried mackinaw at the 20th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on Flathead Lake.

Twenty years ago Howard helped organize the first Fishing Without Barriers and last Thursday the event provided an opportunity for people with disabilities to get out on Flathead Lake and enjoy fishing with the experts.   

Howard was instrumental in getting the event going, after working on access issues for hunters with disabilities. Howard’s nephew was born with Down syndrome, so Howard, he said, felt especially passionate about creating fishing opportunities for people with disabilities.

At the Fishing without Barriers event last Thursday in Woods Bay on Flathead Lake, Howard looked out with a sense of satisfaction at the hundreds of people gathered to enjoy a lunch of deep-fried lake trout, smoked kokanee salmon, burgers and hot dogs. “We had 30 anglers our first year,” Howard said. “Now it’s grown to this.” Nine charter boats plus several private boats helped anglers get a taste of fishing on Flathead Lake. “It gets better every year,” Howard said. “This is what it’s all about; people having a good time.” Anglers fished from charter boats and private craft with captains who volunteered their day for the event.  Charter boat captains included Brent Persinger and Jeff Rach of Flathead Lake Charters; Bob Orsua and Matt McComb of MoFisch Charters; Dusty Bagley of Bagley Guide Service; Mike Howe and Clay Anderson of A-Able Charters; Tim Shattuck of Flathead Monster Charters and Woods Bay Charters with Jerry Landskron. Barry Schrammeck and Diane and Randy Williams of Woods Bay RV Park and Campground provided the facility for the barbecue. Doug Averill of Flathead Lake Lodge and Jim Frissell made Hidden Harbor available for boats to launch.