Are you a veteran? Like to fish? Here’s how to get reeled in for a free day of fun

Joe Giuliani, Algoma Fish and Game Club member, wants to get the word out regarding the club’s first annual Take a Veteran Fishing event in the waters off Garden River First Nation Saturday July 14.

Giuliani told SooToday he was inspired to organize the event by a similar veterans get-together in the U.S.

“I’ve done this before in Michigan with a good friend of mine, a professional fisherman by the name of Mark Martin, and what he does is take Wounded Warriors out fishing,” Giuliani said.

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a charitable organization established in 2003 which offers services, programs and events for wounded veterans.

“I thought I’d bring the same type of event here, but I didn’t know how many Wounded Warriors would be in Sault Ste. Marie so I opened it up to all veterans, including active, retired, as well as Wounded Warriors, so they could be in their 20s, or in their 70s or 80s...there’s a guy with a support dog he needs to keep with him so he’s bringing the dog right in the boat with him.”

The boats, fishing gear and bait will be provided by boat captains and the Algoma Fish and Game Club.

Participants are asked to meet at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 at 96 Great Northern Road at 7 a.m. Saturday July 14 (coffee and muffins provided by Tim Hortons).

“It’s a day’s fishing with professional guides, guys who have done some fishing for a living and taken part in tournaments, guys who know what they’re doing. We have 12 guides we’re going to take out, and we want to take out between 30 and 40 veterans,” Giuliani said.

There are 18 veterans registered so far, Giuliani told us.

The vets and their guides will head out in boats from Ben’s Bait & Tackle at 61 Wigwaus Street in Garden River and fish on the St. Marys River between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. (bagged lunches provided by Subway), come back to Ben’s Bait & Tackle, then head back to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 for a free dinner at 5 p.m.

“The Legion here loves the idea. What’s better than taking guys out for a day’s fishing? The Legion’s been very helpful in everything we’ve been planning.”

“The reason I’m doing this is to give back to the guys who have fought for freedom, and to me, freedom is fishing,” Giuliani said.

“When I did this in Michigan, the biggest thing I got from it is listening to the vets talk to one another in the boat, talking openly about their experiences. It was nice just to sit back and listen to them talk and enjoy the day fishing.”

“I’m sure this event will grow on through the years as I get more guides, but this is our first year running this event,” Giuliani said.

To register, call Joe at 705 450 3474 or Ernie at 705 945 8721.

Participants are asked to advise of any specific needs when registering.

The Algoma Fish and Game Club may be reached through Facebook