Recommended Fishing Events for Disabled Anglers and Resources for Adaptive Fishing Equipment

One source estimates that there are fifty-six million people with disabilities across the country and common sense tells us the many of those disabled people probably gave up one of their favorite hobbies when they acquired a wheelchair, thinking their fishing days were over. But it doesn't have to be that way. Two great non-profit organizations are working hard to re-introduce fishing back into the lives of disabled people and to teach fishing to physically challenged individuals who never tried the sport before.

THE PARALYZED VERTERANS OF AMERICAN offers a wide variety of boating and fishing events each year for both the seasoned disabled angler and beginners who have never baited a hook. Their Bass Tour is officially sanctioned by The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and it includes tournaments in many states where participants can fish from a boat or from the shore. In the Open/Team Competition, each disabled fisherman is paired up with an able-bodied boating partner who acts as a coach, helps to find fishing locations and with selecting the baits to use. Disabled anglers taking part in the Bank Competitions are also paired up with volunteers who assist but who cannot fish themselves. For more information including locations and schedules for upcoming Bass Tours you'll find the PVA website address listed in the 'resources' area below.

THE WHEELIN' SPORTSMAN NWTF is another good organization for disabled sportsman. It was founded by Kirk Thomas, a paraplegic, whose passion for helping disabled sportsman get back into fishing, hunting, boating and even bird watching has grown into international proportions. Their local chapters through out the United States sponsor both fishing and hunting activities and you can view a calendar of events by going to their website and clicking 'events' then click on your state. Wheelin' Sportsman also puts out a quarterly magazine for disabled hunters, target shooters and anglers. It's filled with tips, resource information and stories about their recent recreational opportunities for the wheelchair bound sportsman. Use the website address below in 'resources' to find out more about Wheelin' Sportsman.

ADAPTIVE FISHING GEAR: There are many resources on the internet for fishing equipment that has been adapted for wheelchair bound or one-handed anglers. One of the biggest and best places to start looking is the Access to Recreation website. They not only have fishing rods and reels solutions for disabled fisherman but they also carry a line of adaptive flotation devices especially designed for physically challenged swimmers and boaters that compensate for uneven weight distribution. For the serious shoreline anglers, Assess to Recreation carries a full line of all-terrain wheelchairs that will go through sand, water, mud and snow. You can browse their extensive line of recreational products on-line or order a mail-order catalog through the website address listed below in 'resources.'

A disability doesn't have to get in the way of having a good time on the water. If you (or someone you know) loved fishing and boating before acquiring a disability or you just want to sample a new hobby, do some research at The Paralyzed Veterans of American and Wheelin' Sportsman websites. These two organizations will lead you or a loved one to a whole new world of dedicated volunteers who are eager to help wheelchair bound anglers find a place in the great outdoors. ©

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