Volunteers plan fishing trip for wounded warriors

In the early hours of September 3, more than 30 Wounded Warriors and Widows will embark with several local volunteer fishermen from the Elochoman Slough Marina and spend a few hours fishing on the Columbia River.

Event organizer Bud Mickelsen also wants to take the opportunity to honor our local firefighters, state patrol and sheriff’s office and the invitation has been extended to these hardworking people who serve our community.

No fishing event is complete without some competition, and so there will be a derby as well. Mickelsen has been talking to sponsors and believes he may have accumulated up to $4,000 worth of prizes so far.

The Wounded Warriors and Widows will head down the night before by bus from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Mickelsen, along with several volunteers will provide the participants with dinner and relaxation before they settle in for the night at the Hotel Cathlamet. The next morning they will have breakfast and pick up a sack lunch before they head out to catch the biggest fish.

In the afternoon, participants, along with local firefighters, deputies and state patrol will enjoy a meal of oysters and barbecued salmon with volunteers while derby prizes are awarded.

The “Warriors, Widows and Heroes” event has been brewing in Mickelsen’s heart and mind for a couple years, and he is excited to watch his dreams become tangible.

“Approximately 30 boats were volunteered,” Mickelsen said. “I spoke with Jeff Mason, who runs a fishing program and takes Wounded Warriors out one or two at a time. He thought it was the greatest idea since pumpkin pie.”

The next planning meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Monday, July 27 at the marina.