Fishing Forever came into existence in 1992. The idea came from a broadcast journalist named Walt Liimatainen. Diagnosed with a progressive muscle wasting disease, Walt was looking for a way to continue his involvement with the outdoors.
The basic idea was to create a venue through which people with disabilities could learn to, or continue to, fish and enjoy the outdoors. As an active outdoors person and member of various B.C.W.F. clubs, Walt saw the federation as the perfect vehicle for accomplishing this goal while at the same time providing positive public relations and community involvement for the member clubs. No one, after all, is in a better position to teach the joys of angling than members of BC's Rod and Gun Clubs. And no one, he reasoned, had more need for a positive community image in the face of mounting pressures on outdoor recreation resources.
The B.C.W.F. directors approved the concept of the project as long as it was self sustaining. Initial funding was provided by B.C. Hydro. That core funding was designed to help clubs organize and promote disabled fishing events. The clubs would provide the manpower, equipment and fishing knowledge. Fishing Forever would provide logistical support in identifying a client group and finding other possible sources of local funding or services. It would advise on how to safely and comfortably work with groups with disabilities. Fishing Forever would also seek to help the local clubs obtain media exposure as well as providing promotional hats, T-shirts or whatever.
Long before Fishing Forever arrived, several B.C. clubs were involved in events for the disabled. In fact, the concept for the project grew out of the Prince George Polar Coachman Fly Fishing clubs annual outing with the CNIB. In that case of an existing event, Fishing Forever provided promotional material, helped construct media releases and even paid for.materials to rebuild an old dock at the launch site. In short, the project worked to help the club overcome any obstacles to holding the event.
In Parksville-Quallicom, the local club started a new event with help of local charter captains. Fishing Forever was the catalyst and provided funding for video work to document the event. That resulted in an extended television news piece in both Victoria and Vancouver... And an annual outing that continues to provide host, guest and sponsors the great day on the water.
A major chunk of funding went to help construct an accessible fishing pier in the Kamloops area when a local club came up short on an ambitious 40,000 dollar project. That wasn't funding for an annual event but rather for a project that provides long-term accessibility to disabled anglers as well as the rest of the community. Kamloops club members are now also hosting an annual fish – out for disabled people in their community.
These are just examples. The rules are flexible. They have to be when you're breaking new ground. Our object is to get people out and enjoying our fisheries resource otherwise not able. We plan to do it as an annual event. Build access; ramps, dock's, wheelchair accessible pathways, a sling to safely transfer a wheelchair angler from the dock to the boat, whatever. Fishing Forever in Nelson wants all to recognize that there are people in their community that could benefit greatly from a day out fishing, if they could only get there... And help make that happen.
Fishing Forever in Nelson also wants to help spread the message, within the community of people with disabilities, or otherwise not able that you can still get out and enjoy the natural offerings around you. Though it may require some help you didn't need before, it can be done if you want it and are willing to try. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.
Everybody learns something about disabilities, something about abilities and something about the resource that can provide all of this positive outcome.
Everyone wins when this is done correctly. The clubs, the B.C. Wildlife Federation, contributing sponsors, and the client group of people with disabilities.
If you're interested in Fishing Forever for Nelson and the West Kootenays please contact;
Name: Joani Trickett Phone: +1 250 825 4219 E-mail: gtstore@shaw.ca
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BC Wildlife Federation
http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/
BC Family Fishing
http://www.bcfamilyfishing.com/
