FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Some 140 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers gathered Saturday at Oneida Lake to participate in the 6th annual Take a Soldier Fishing event hosted by the New York B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation.
"We wanted a structured program where the Soldiers are invited to come down, and all they have to do is show up and everything they get is for them," said Burnie Haney, New York B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation president. "We're not going to ask them to do anything other than to be present and to be recognized for their service to their country, and hence we started the Take a Soldier Fishing program."
The competition started at 8:30 a.m. and lasted until 1 p.m.
"My expectations of the event were to have fun and to catch some fish, and that's what we did," said Pvt. Ashley Wash, an air conditioning technician with D Troop, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.
There were about 80 volunteer boaters, each taking up to two Soldiers with them, making it possible for the Soldiers to get out on the water to fish.
Each team worked together to try to catch the biggest fish in multiple categories, which included the panfish, rock bass, bowfin, drum and carp divisions.
"I can say with certainty that all the boaters that participated are return boaters, and each time we get new boaters to come, they can't wait to come back and do it again," Haney said. "Once they see the faces of the Soldiers, they are so appreciative of the opportunity they've been given."
Anglers made their way back to shore around 1 p.m. and presented their fish to be weighed in. Of the five categories of the competitive side of the event, the biggest fish caught was a carp weighing in at 24.95 pounds.
Wash said she has been fishing for about 10 years. During the trip, she caught multiple fish, to include an 18-inch smallmouth bass, which is the biggest fish she had ever caught.
"I had a cool boater who showed me new fishing techniques, like how to use jigs," Wash said. "I used what he thought would be a good idea to use, so I let him lead the way and caught some fish because of it."
After weighing the fish, participants headed to a barbecue picnic that served pulled pork, chicken and beef brisket provided by multiple professional barbecue teams, mainly from the Northeast.
In addition, each participating Soldier received a sponsor package, which included a rod, reel, fishing line, T-shirts and hats from donating bass pro shops.
"The idea behind that is so they get to meet members of the community and help reinforce our outreach, and to show that the guys and gals are part of the North Country and they're not just Soldiers that come here, go to war and then just disappear; they're part of your community," Haney said. "The more folks they meet outside the gate gives them more opportunities to extend themselves to the private sector and to introduce them not only as being a Soldier, but a person too.
"It was a great turnout this year, and we are definitely excited about next year's Take a Soldier Fishing event," he added.
Although this was Wash's first time participating in the Take a Soldier Fishing event, she hopes it won't be the last one for her.
"I definitely think everyone made this fishing trip a good trip," Wash said. "I just wished it would have been a little longer because the more time fishing, the more fun we had. I would definitely
do one of these again. I'm already trying to see about the event for next year, because I will be attending."
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