Disabled Veteran’s Fishing Trips | Kootenai Angler

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Last fall was our third annual year for the Disabled Veteran’s trip. As you may have heard we were able to negotiate a special access to allow a small group to fish between the Dave Thompson Bridge and Libby Dam by boat. The area has been closed to fishing from boats since the dam’s inception in 1974. It took about 5 years to put this trip in motion, thanks to the cooperating agencies of US Army Corps of Engineers and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for allowing this special time for our Vets that have given their all for our freedom. The first year one fish that was fought for 20 minutes or so was never landed, I think it was a large rainbow in the 20 pound plus range hooked on a beadhead  nymph with a 6 weight! After it played possum for awhile just slowly leading us wherever it wanted to go it grew tired and promptly broke off and left us all wondering how big it was! We never were able to even raise the fish out of the deep water to even get a look at it. This year we were able to land two beautiful 7-8 pound rainbows with a streamer. It has always been a challenge to put these great folks into fish with minimum flow regime with spring creek conditions and underwater visibility at around 25 feet. Most of the veterans are entry level fishers, with little to no flyfishing experience. I always wear my Dad’s WWII hat during that special day. Let us know if you have someone who would like to get on our list for these trips. Its great to give back to these fine soldiers.

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