Local guides take Fort Drum Soldiers fishing

By Spc. Robert Cook, 2nd Brigade Combat Team JournalistApril 28, 2016

Fort Drum Soldiers on fishing outing
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Good catch
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Adam Chavez, air traffic control operator, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, G3 Air, holds up his award-winning fish Saturday, at the Eighth Annual Take a Soldier Fishing event hosted by the New York B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation at Oneida ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 28, 2016) -- Approximately 170 Soldiers across the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and more than 100 fishing guides came together Saturday at Oneida Lake, near Syracuse, to participate in the Eighth Annual Take a Soldier Fishing event, hosted by the New York B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation.

This year's competition was scheduled from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., followed by a barbecue lunch.

"This event is a way Soldiers can meet like-minded folks and it gives the community an opportunity to thank the Soldiers for what they do," said Burnie Haney, New York B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation vice president.

Haney said that when this program first started, only 15 Soldiers participated. He added that this event has gotten bigger every year, with new and returning Soldiers coming out.

As service members waited to meet their guides, one former Soldier shared why he enjoys fishing.

"When I got wounded and I was told I was getting out, I thought I was going to be that guy sitting at the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)," said Brian Eisch, retired master sergeant from 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. "But I found that fishing was my sanity, and I firmly believe that getting these guys in the outdoors on their free time and showing them there is more to life than sitting in their rooms and playing video games" is beneficial.

The concept of the competition was that each team worked together and tried to catch the biggest fish in multiple categories, which included the panfish, bowfin, drum and carp divisions. Winning teams would be awarded prizes provided by local vendors that ranged from fishing gear to gift cards for local restaurants.

After returning from their three-hour fishing trip, Soldiers weighed in their prize fish. One boater shared his joy in attending this annual event.

"This event is nothing but good fun," said Fred Blom, former president of B.A.S.S Nation. "I enjoy taking the Soldiers out on the water. They really appreciate it, and this is a great way to start off our year of fishing."

As the anglers came together and told stories of the big fish that got away and waited to see who had the biggest catch, one service member shared why she came to this event.

"I was really looking forward to this event," the Soldier said. "We had lots of fun out on the water and an exciting event. Not only does this event bring Fort Drum closer to the community, it also gives us a chance to learn a skill from the pros."