Before sunrise, military veterans representing every branch of the Armed Forces gathered at the Clarion Hotel Pavilion overlooking Dunkirk Harbor. The atmosphere was one of friendship, respect and gratitude as the day officially began at 6:30 a.m. with warm greetings, registration, boat assignments, commemorative hats and T-shirts, water, snacks, and a special anniversary coin provided by Jim and Diane Steel, the founders of Innovative Outdoors.

What quickly became apparent was that this event was about far more than fishing. Under the leadership of Innovative Outdoors, their family, and numerous supporting organizations, nearly 30 volunteer boat captains donated their boats, equipment, fuel, bait, tackle, and countless hours to honor America’s veterans with a day of fishing for no cost. Not one captain expected compensation. Many would not even consider accepting a tip. Their generosity spoke volumes.

I was assigned to Boat No. 29 with volunteer captain Steve Weiner. After a short walk to his well-equipped 21-foot Lund near the Dunkirk boat launch, Steve explained that our day would be different from most of the fleet.

“While many captains will be trolling Lake Erie’s productive waters to catch their limits of walleye, we would be using Forward Facing Sonar technology with a Garmin LiveScope unit to locate individual fish and cast directly to them,” he said.

Photo by Forrest Fisher Under the watchful eyes of Fisheries Biologist James Markham, the Department of Environmental Conservation helped clean all the fish for the military veterans after their successful fishing day.

Within minutes, Steve’s 300-horsepower engine carried us nearly five miles offshore through the morning chop. We didn’t need his 15-horse 4-stroke trolling engine. Once on the fishing grounds in 75 to 80 feet of water west of Dunkirk, he deployed the LiveScope transducer mounted near the bow on a six-foot extension pole that could scan the underwater world in narrow 5-degree segments around the boat. Almost immediately, fish appeared on the large 20-inch display screen.

There were walleye suspended at depths ranging from 20 to 60 feet. Steve explained that our half-ounce and three-quarter-ounce jigs baited with a half-nightcrawler would quickly reach the fish, but success depended upon making accurate casts into the narrow sonar beam. The screen allowed us to see the fish, then watch our lures descend toward the fish and observe their reactions in real time.

The first several fish proved stubborn. Some followed the lure but turned away. Others seemed cautious or uninterested. About 45 minutes later, however, we finally found cooperative walleye. What followed was one of the most exciting fishing experiences I have ever enjoyed. I felt my adrenalin flowing with every cast. Anticipation. Captain Steve was a very clear communicator with explicit and friendly guidance that made a difference in our ability to find the fish and then catch them. It was a learning experience that was more than fun.

Watching a fish rise toward a falling lure, seeing it charge, hesitate, or strike the lure while watching the screen and then feeling the rod come alive with the fish heading south created an unforgettable rush of excitement. Changing colors or lure size created differences with the fish, too. Every fish seemed to possess its own personality. Some were aggressive. Others were timid. The challenge was every bit as demanding as it was thrilling.

By late morning we had caught nearly twice our legal limit, carefully keeping only our six-fish limit each while carefully releasing the remainder alive and well. Throughout the fleet, trolling crews and casting crews alike enjoyed similar success, and veterans returned to port carrying coolers filled with Lake Erie walleye in the three to six pound range. Our open-face spinning reels rigs were simple with a lightweight carbon rod, using 12-pound braid and 8-pound fluorocarbon leader line. Lightweight rigs for the most fun in catching fish. Some fish were taking the drag out, it was screaming once or twice, making the experience even more thrilling.

Back at the dock, another outstanding group of volunteers was waiting. Fisheries Biologist Jim Markham and a team of nine volunteers from the Lake Erie Fisheries Station cleaned our 12 walleye in less than ten minutes. Fillets were expertly packaged, iced, and prepared for transport home in convenient carry bags, allowing every veteran to take home not only memories but also meals to share with family.

A short walk back to the pavilion brought yet another surprise. A delicious catered lunch of chicken and sausage awaited the returning fishermen, along with stories, laughter, and post-trip fellowship among veterans and volunteers.

Then came one final expression of appreciation: every veteran received an Okuma rod and reel outfit as a thank-you for their service to our nation. It was one amazing day for each veteran.

By 2 p.m., many veterans had begun their journeys home carrying bags of walleye fillets, new friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

The 10th Annual Fishing with Heroes event demonstrated that patriotism still thrives, generosity still matters, and gratitude for our veterans remains strong. The volunteer captains, organizers, fish-cleaning crews, and countless helpers made certain that every veteran felt honored.

For one unforgettable day on Lake Erie, heroes were once again surrounded by people who simply wanted to say, “Thank you for your service.”

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar:

July 5: Ellington Rod and Gun, “Don’t Know Partner Trap League,” 1045 Hagerdon Hill Rd., Ellington; Info: 716-287-3987.

July 11: Firecracker Shoot, Hanover Fish & Game, 125 sporting and 50 five-stand, register on “SCORECHASER;” 9 a.m. start time for shooting; chicken barbecue on site; Info: Matt Holtz, 716-912-2624.

July 12: Muzzleloader Shoot, West Falls Conservation, 55 Bridge St., West Falls, 10 a.m. start, $5 members/ $8 non-members, metal swinging targets.