On April 21, 2012 the New Jersey Chapter of Casting for Recovery(CFR) will be holding a raffle to raise funds for their programs. CFR provides opportunities for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather in a natural setting and learn the sport of fly fishing. Just as importantly, the retreats offer an opportunity to meet new friends, network, exchange information, and have fun.

The Tampa Bay Chapter of Heroes on the Water held its first event this past Saturday at beautiful Fort Desoto Park, St Petersburg Florida. Our honored guest for the day was Don Floyd and his wife Donna. Don retired from the US Army in 1999. He saw one of our flyers at the VA and decided to give us a call. I’m sure glad he did. While this fishing was not all that great, I do believe our guests had a great time out on the water.

I’ve been very fortunate to come across YakAngler when I did; it has allowed me the opportunity to share my adventures on the water with a diverse group of like minded anglers. For that I am deeply appreciative. I don’t profess to be a great writer, I’ve had no formal education in it, other than my experiences in the Air Force, I tend to rush articles and sometimes I ramble on. But I keep at it and I hope those that read my writing enjoy it. I was also fortunate to be involved with Malibu kayaks, because through them I had the chance to write for Blade Magazine, an Australian Kayak Fishing Journal. Now I’m international. Who would have thought this sometimes grouchy ole fogy would be a published writer? So as deadlines approached, I submitted my next article. Maybe you read it "Paddle Around The Bay.

It had been raining on and off all day. My hands were exceedingly pruney, my hat was soaked all the way through and I was yet to feel a fish on the end of my line. Other tournament anglers started heading in and many of them asked about my luck. Every one of them had either a perplexed look or thought I was joking when I told them I hadn't hooked a single one. I was running out of time so I decided to make one more pass by my favorite spot in the inlet as the rain got heavier. I was trolling a MirrOLure when it got crushed...

240 Kayak Fisherman from 9 different states converged on Norfolk Virginia this past weekend for the 7th annual Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association Kayak Fishing Tournament. The Kayak Fish for Charity event raised money for Heroes on the Water and Project Healing Waters, both charities help rehabilitate wounded warriors. Only one angler Conner Harrison came in with a SLAM to take home the grand prize a Hobie Kayaks Pro Angler.  See all the kayak fishing tournament finalists below.

A while back, I was asked to join the TKAA team for the Catching for Kids 20th Annual Anglers Club Challenge Tournament. Of course, I was happy to oblige not only because I love to fish, but the money raised goes to a great cause. Click the link for more info about Catching for Kids. The TKAA team divided up into several groups to target different species. The CBBT group, consisting of Justin Mayer, Billy Ragulsky, Seth Goodrich and myself, met up around 5am, got things ready, set a good game plan, and launched to a gorgeous sunrise.

In 2010, the Irishwaterdogs Invitational was born. A fundraising event for Wolfson Children’s Hospital, nearly 100 kayak anglers hit the waters around Jacksonville, FL, to fish the slam, win cash prizes, and hopefully take home new kayaks.  Registration for the 2011 Irishwaterdogs Invitational is now open.  Hoping to double last year's attendance, the Cleft Palate Center of Jacksonville will be this years fund raising recipient.

The IRISHWATERDOGS Invitational is an annual fishing tournament held in Jacksonville Florida to benefit Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The goal for the IRISHWATERDOGS INVITATIONAL is to raise awareness of the amazing work that Wolfson Children's Hospital does, to raise money for critical equipment vital to treatment of sick children in our region and promote the fantastic sport of kayak fishing.  Brought together through the camaraderie and fellowship of kayak anglers, IRISHWATERDOGS hopes to not only raise awareness of Wolfson Children’s Hospital but the entire sport as well.