On the outside, Mother Nature was her playful self, rolling a bevy of dark clouds over Rock Creek Marina, keeping weather-watchers wondering if rain would dampen one of life’s bright- and-sun-shinny days.
Inside, everyone knew Mother Nature’s heart was golden and She would remain true to the occasion. A day filled with such goodness and delight must not be threatened by a passing cloudburst.
And She delivered.
Boy, did She.
Fishing Has No Boundaries Eastern Iowa Chapter, brought joy – and fish-catching success – to 27 anglers, 21 boat captains and nearly 50 volunteers, who made friends and memories recently at the Clinton County, Iowa, recreation center.
In a hardened, sometimes uneven world, fish-catching smiles of those who battle a different battle than most, said it all.
“Just another great day,’’ said Clinton County Conservation Naturalist Jill Schmidt, the Camanche (Iowa) Chapter Lead for Fishing Has No Boundaries. “Great volunteers, and our boat captains were amazing. Our anglers had the time of their lives.’’
FHNB, Inc. provides the fishing experience/opportunities for all anglers with disabilities and increases public awareness and advocacy about challenges that occur with recreational activities.
Nearly a decade has passed since FHNB found its way to Eastern Iowa thanks to the dogged determination of Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Allie McGraw, MOT, OTC/ L, clinic manager at Clinton, Iowa. The event has flourished, giving hundreds with disabilities – who wouldn’t otherwise experience the fun and joy of fishing and the outdoors – the chance to reel in the big one.
“Through its sponsorship and through its wonderful volunteers, Rock Valley has been a huge part of this,’’ Schmidt said, speaking volumes of McGraw and the likes of Misti Ferguson, PT, DPT, OCS, Anna Atkinson, PT, DPT, Jason Tampir, PT, MPT, Kerri Hurning, PT, MPT, OCS, and her boat-captain father, Tom Gall. It was Tampir’s fishing partner who hauled in the first catch of the day.
“You never take anything for granted, but Rock Valley’s commitment to making this a special day for so many has always been there,’’ Schmidt added. ”We all have learned that Rock Valley is about giving back and impacting lives.’’
For McGraw, the event is extra special.
“You see the faces of those fishing and the excitement that surrounds them once they get in the boat,’’ said McGraw, one of life’s 24-karat gems. “To ride in the boat, get a chance to fish and then catch something, it’s awesome. We take for granted getting in and out of a boat and the activity that is fishing. This gives those who don’t have that opportunity the chance to experience something special. And I get to share it with some amazing friends from Rock Valley. ‘’
It’s why Mother Nature chose not to dampen the day.
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller