Wounded Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, KY, arrived in 
Florence, AL October 31. En route, the Soldiers were escorted by a fleet of Patriot Guard motorcycles and various law enforcement vehicles. The Soldiers came to Florence to participate in Operation HOOAH hosted by Southern Fishing News. The event pairs a recovering wounded Soldier with an area bass fisherman for two days of fishing. Pickwick and Wilson Lake was where the warriors would hone their fishing skills or go fishing for the first time.
The event is not formatted like a traditional tournament is. The Soldiers just go fishing. This approach is used to reduce the stress on the men and women. No fish are brought for a weigh-in. That also assists the military anglers with their stories back at the ramp. If there are no fish in the livewell then there is plenty of room for establishing good-natured fish tales back at the ramp.
Less than perfect weather conditions greeted the visitors and their volunteer guides when they arrived at the ramp in McFarland Park in Florence. Water level had dropped about six feet and had been rising and falling. The temperature at the 8 A.M. launch was hovering around 29 degrees F. The “teams” found that many of the bass had backed off the drop-offs and minnow infested shallower water to suspend in the water column. A suspending bass is very difficult to catch.
The Screaming Eagle troopers hung in there and kept trying and learning. SGT John-Mark Tarr, fishing with guide Randy Corsbie on day one caught 35 fish. When asked what kind of fish they were Corsbie responded, “Anything in the water that will eat a minnow.” Guide Scott Towrey
Wounded Soldiers from the 101st Airborne, Ft. Campbell, KY try theit hand at fishing Pickwick aqnd wilson Lakes.
fished Saturday with SPC James Barahona. Barahona caught 11 bass with the biggest weighing 4.1 pounds. For all intent and purposes, a fish could have been declared as a seven-pounder- the “facts” that fishing stories are made of. Barahona inticed the bass with a small, Bomber-like crankbait given to him by Towrey (and taken back to Ft. Campbell). The wounded Soldiers enjoyed the days fishing fish story or not.
Fishing on Wilson Sunday included the cold weather and complimentary wind from the northeast. Fishing was also difficult as well as finding fish that would bite.
Comments from the warriors reflected how important a simple day of fishing was to these Soldiers. “I honestly can’t explain what this event has done for me. Top notch all the way.”
Soldiers and guides are treated to a great lunch at Fleet Harbor on Wilson Lake provided by Cathy Scott and family.
“Everything was awesome. Everyone was very friendly and very professional. The event was well organized. Thanks for all the gifts and for a one-on-one instruction on fishing. Mr. Don (Don Gowen) was very patient with me! Mr. Bill (Bill Strickland) was a fun guide to fish with. Thanks for everything! I will be going for back and hip surgery soon and my healing process already start(ed) with all ya’ll. Thanks for all you do for us!”
“This is a great event and there is no telling how many marriages are saved and suicides were prevented. The guides and support personnel are great people that have given so much and may never know how much effect it has on Soldiers and their families.”
“This trip was very therapeutic! Means a lot that we have people that give back to the Soldiers. I really enjoyed my time here and look forward to see everyone next year! HOOAH!”
Wounded Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assualt) ready for a day on pickwick.
“You will never know how much this event meant to me. Words cannot explain the feelings I have for all of you. Thank you for a great weekend of fishing. The guides were awesome and I have nothing to add to your event. If you have this next year I will be the first to sign-up. God bless you in your travels and bless your families. We love you all.”
The November 1 & 2 event was the third in the annual series. The mission of Operation HOOAH (Healing Outside An Army Hospital) is to assist the wounded Soldier in the healing process for physical and mental wounds. Ron McDonald, publisher and editor of Southern Fishing News said, “The Warrior Transition Battalion, Ft. Campell, told me no less than three Soldier’s lives had been saved by patients that participated in the 2013 outing.”
McDonald credited individuals, area businesses both large and small, as well as organizations and local government in making the healing event a first-class effort. A former 101st Airborne Soldier himself, McDonald pointed out the support given to Operation HOOAH by national fishing industry companies. Cash, products and services is how support is provided.
The online photo album for the event is located HERE for viewing and/or downloading. Additional photos are being added daily to the album.
