(Editor’s Note: The following article is a re-run from earlier this year.) 

The Big Lake Bass Team teamed up with the Big Lake American Legion and Big Lake Beyond The Yellow Ribbon to serve the area’s local Veterans with a fishing outing. It also provided an opportunity to educate the team’s student anglers.

Twenty-one local vets from the area participated in the fishing event on Big Lake. The smiles on the faces of the nearly two dozen Veterans and student anglers was priceless. The smiles made all of the hours of planning and organizing well worth it. 

“One story I’d like to share melted my heart,” said Paul Barker. “As I was helping Archie Archuleta into the boat to get ready to fish with student angler TJ Barker and volunteer boat captain Dan Hyttsten of Becker, Archie turned and looked at me, he shook my hand and said, ‘I didn’t think I would get to go fishing again and I’m super excited.’ He then thanked me as I wished him good luck.” 

Archie caught four bass and had amazing day on the water fishing with TJ and Dan. TJ Barker, Big Lake’s student angler, had a great time fishing with Archie and learning about his time in the service. Archie was in the Navy during Vietnam. TJ said he was honored to fish with Archie, as they shared many laughs throughout the day, a day they will never forget, 

The day started out early with breakfast and coffee provided by Casey’s and Kwik Trip. The fishermen and women were then led in prayer by  Mayor Paul Knier around the Freedom Rock. 

“We gave thanks to God and followed with the National Anthem,” said Barker.

After instruction for the fishing tournament rules, the boats were loaded with Veterans, student anglers, and boat captains and launched. The boats were all provided with snack and drink bags for the day, thanks to Casey’s and Kwik Trip. 

All fish caught for the day were catch and release, however they were documented using the Fish Donkey App.

The boats were unloaded by 11 a.m. and lunch was served by volunteers from BLBT, Big Lake BYTYR and the Big Lake American Legion. Lunch for the event was possible due to volunteers and support from the community and, of course, The Butchery of Maple Lake. 

After lunch, awards and random prizes were handed out.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors that helped make this event possible, which include: Big Lake Beyond the Yellow Ribbon; Big Lake American Legion Post 147; The Butchery of Maple Lake; Scheels; Ricki and Sons (trophies); Casey’s; Holiday; Kwik Trip;  Brown Berry Bakery; MP NexLevel; Bernicks Pepsi; Jonny Pops; Sweet Cart; City of Big Lake; Big Lake Public Works and the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Department.