Fish'n the Brave organizer Tony Fisher, left, instructs a volunteer on Sept. 11, 2021, on the Columbia River near Umatilla. The 2022 veteran angling event is Nov. 12.

More than 100 area veterans and fishing guides converged Saturday, Sept. 11, on the Columbia River for the sixth annual Fish’n the Brave.

Tony Fisher of Fishers Catch Outfitters founded the angling event and once again organized Fish’n, with the help of volunteers and sponsoring organizations.

Early in the morning, he was directing volunteers at the starting point, the Umatilla Marina & RV Park, when he spoke of his feelings as they pertain to veterans. Not a veteran himself, Fisher still values veterans. He said his father was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

“I honor him and appreciate him,” Fisher said. “This (event) is a simple way for us to give back. A lot of these guys and gals have had some experiences. This gives them a way to get away for the day, go out, have a good day and clear their thoughts.”

The men and women who served America’s armed forces deserve respect, he said. In their service to the nation, they made our freedoms possible. Those freedoms include fishing, he added.

Thirty-three boats, captained and prepped by volunteers, carried the veterans. The captains, who also were experienced fishing guides, took the veterans out for sturgeon, salmon and walleye.

The starting time was 8 a.m., with the singing of the National Anthem and a prayer, though veterans arrived hours earlier and chatted with one another. Breakfast —turnovers, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and more — was provided for them, as was coffee. Lunch and dinner also were provided, as were prizes. Fisher wrapped up the event at 5 p.m.

Participants and volunteers

As they participated in the event, the veterans articulated their gratitude for labor and resources given, making Fish’n the Brave possible. Meanwhile, the volunteers also gave their appreciation for the sacrifices the veterans made for their country.

David Stockdale, Umatilla city manager, said he is happy for his city’s involvement. Umatilla has hosted the last four of the six annual Fish’n events. Though not a veteran, he has family members who have served.

“This event means a lot to me and to Umatilla,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for our community to say thank you to our vets. It’s great.”

At the event, Jon Cox of Western States Equipment Company said supporting veterans is important both for him and his company. Western States provided bait for Fish’n.

“They give us the freedom to do what we do and live in the nation we live in,” Cox said of our veterans.

Rick Henderson, a veteran from Moscow, Idaho, was in the Navy from 1990 to 1994. Saturday was the first time he had been to this event. He went because a friend suggested it to him. He had not fished in a long time, he said, and he has rarely gone to veterans’ events. As he prepared for his day on the river, he was excited.

“It’s nice to have people recognize the service that we signed up for,” he said. “It sends a good message to the young right now that it’s worth joining our military and taking on that sacrifice.”

Dave Winters, veteran, served at the “tail end” of Vietnam. From Heppner, he said he was happy to make the trip from his home to Umatilla. It was his first time at the event, as his friends encouraged him to attend. He said he was happy to commune with his friends and possibly make new friends.

His brother was in the Vietnam War, as were many other people he has known. People spit on those veterans upon their return stateside, Winter said. Finally, those former servicemen and women, as well as other veterans, are getting the respect they deserve.

“It’s really nice that people are taking the time to recognize the sacrifice these men and women made,” he said.

Dan Seimer, Irrigon, said it also was his first appearance at Fish’n. A veteran, he described himself as an “anxious fisherman,” as getting on the water, and being the subject of so much attention, made him feel a little overwhelmed.

“These guys are putting on a real fine deal for us vets,” he said. He participates in American Legion, and he likes gathering with people who share his military experience.

Bill Jennings, Hermiston, also is a veteran, having served 1969-70. When events like this one occur, he said, it shows people are looking after veterans. This makes him feel good, and he appreciates the efforts.

Not a veteran, Lisa Reardon was one of the few women at the event. A Hermiston resident, she was a volunteer deckhand at Fish’n. As she has two sons who serve, she said she is proud of the people who have fought and continue to fight for America. Wearing a United States Marine Corps sweater, she described herself as a patriot. Several members of her family have served, she said, adding “service is a big deal.”

“I think any way that you can honor people who served, have served, is the right thing to do,” Reardon said.

Mark Ribbich, Umatilla Chamber of Commerce executive director, is not a veteran, though he said being at Fish’n the Brave means a lot to him.

“I get a little choked up about that,” he said. His oldest brother was wounded in the Vietnam War, and he did not survive his injuries. This gave him an affinity for those that did return from that war and all the U.S. wars which followed.

“We’ve got millions of out there in the country, and they need to be supported in various ways,” he said. Any chance he gets to be at veteran events to support, he said, he is “all in” in participating.

The chamber has been supporting Fish’n as a sponsor for four years. Ribbich called it the “signature event” for Umatilla. There are other events in Umatilla, but this one is extra special. Several organizations and local businesses also helped, he said. Operating Engineers Local 280, Ranch & Home, the city of Hermiston, Hagerman Inc. and the city of Umatilla are just a few other groups that made this event possible.

“This is a marvelous event,” Salud Campos, Umatilla, said. This was her third years as a volunteer.

Pablo Ames, Umatilla, said providing food and fun for veterans is important to him. They deserve it, he said, and he feels satisfied to see smiles on their faces. As a serving member of the National Guard, he said he likes veterans’ events such as this one. It kind of gives him a look at his future, he said. He said he likes to hear their stories, too.

Darla Huxel, Umatilla chief of police, is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Not a veteran herself, she is appreciative of those who served. She also is proud of her town and all the volunteers who helped.

Being that Fish’n was on Sept. 11, the day of remembrance for terrorist attacks in 2001, this event has deeper reason for extra thought, she said. She said she remembers the people who were lost on Sept. 11 and the soldiers who took up arms in defense of the country after the attacks.

The Umatilla Police Officers Association was among the groups that donated items to be raffled for the event.

As he was preparing his boat to take veterans fishing, Larson Travis said he is glad to give veterans a good time. In addition to helping others, he also is able to enjoy the experiences himself, as he likes listening to the stories told.

Cathy Stolz, Hermiston resident and president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 37 of Hermiston, was another one of the volunteers and said she had been encouraging veterans to participate because Fishn’ participation is limited. Participants need to sign up prior to the event. They can do so at fisherscatchoutfitters.com/fishn-the-brave.

This year was full, and next year looks to be the same.