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Saturday, August 15, 2009
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Let's Go fishing, Brainerd At least one LGF chapter could be coming to area Outdoors Editor The elderly woman likened it - this outing on the lake - to the old country.
Norway, she would later tell the boat captain.
She talked about her motherland and about this and about that on the recent Let's Go Fishing outing. Good conversation.
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Volunteer Dennis Seelen served as boat captain in the Let's Go Fishing pontoon during a recent LGF outing on Fish Lake in Pierz. Brainerd Dispatch/ Jennifer Stockinger
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Amazing, actually.
According to an LGF volunteer on the trip, who also worked at the elderly woman's assisted living facility, the woman was unhappy about being placed in the facility and had stopped talking. Hadn't said a word in three years, the volunteer said.
Until that day.
"That sort of sums it up. That's why we do what we do," said Bernie Barringer, who recently shared the woman's story.
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Sally Meyer, 85, of Pierz eased in a small sunfish during a recent Little Falls chapter Let's Go Fishing outing on Fish Lake in Pierz. Brainerd Dispatch/ Jennifer Stockinger
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"When you see them light up - it's amazing to see these people who live in these facilities who have not been out on the water or out at all for so long," added Barringer, LGF director of marketing and development. "There's a change in demeanor when they get out on the lake with the sound of the loons and the sun reflecting off the water. It's emotional ... Amazing."
It's why Barringer wants to form an LGF chapter - or two - in the Brainerd lakes area. And, he said, because there's a definite need here.
"It seems kind of ironic that there's not one in Brainerd because it's considered by many as the fishing capital of Minnesota," said Barringer, of Backus. "We definitely need to get something going here. It's an area that has seniors and water to fish. It's time for this in Brainerd."
According to the Let's Go Fishing Web site, "LGF is committed to its mission of providing free fishing and boating excursions for individuals age 55 and greater ... LGF is a network of members, volunteers and chapters with a passion for the outdoors and who come together as one team to serve seniors and advance the mission of LGF. Our unique program serves to improve the quality of life for seniors and build stronger communities."
LGF started in 2002 in Minnesota and, of the 22 chapters, about half have been in existence for two years or less, Barringer said. The closest chapter to Brainerd is in Little Falls, which has been around for about five years.
"They're (the Little Falls chapter) doing a little work in the Brained area, but Brainerd has the capability of having its own (chapter)," Barringer said. "There could be one in Brainerd and one in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes. Walker and Hackensack have a combined chapter. A chapter in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes is a very good possibility."
According to Barringer, forming a chapter can be as easy as getting a handful of dedicated volunteers on board. And, of course, there's the matter of finances - the special LGF pontoon package, which is all inclusive (includes lifejackets, fishing gear, etc.), runs about $38,500, Barringer said.
"And there are some (chapters) that are looking at buying a second pontoon because they have so many trips planned," he said. "Grand Rapids, for example. I was there yesterday (Wednesday) evening for one of their board events and they're looking at a second pontoon. They have 80 trips planned. They're working their volunteers pretty hard.
"For some chapters it's very easy for them to raise the money. Others have kind of struggled, had raffles and fish fries. It takes a little longer for some. But some communities just step forward and fall in love with this."
Terri Sanoski, president of the Little Falls LGF chapter, said it has had 32 outings since May and travels as far as Lake Mille Lacs to give seniors the opportunity to get out on the water.
"We do cover a big area and do wish we had more volunteers," Sanoski said. "It's a real good organization, but we need more captains. It's hard to get captains."
Barringer has only been with LGF since July 1, but had long wanted to get on board with the organization in some capacity.
"I used to run Grand National Walleye Cup tournaments ... (LGF) volunteers would bring coolers and bring back fillets to the nursing homes and have these big fish fries," he said. "I loved that concept. It allows us to put a positive light on these tournaments (donating the fish that can't be saved and released) and it's going to a good cause. So that's two positives.
"It (LGF) has just exploded the last two to three years. There are so many wonderful stories of how it has touched peoples' lives. It's such an emotional thing. People get involved and can't wait to do it again. And it's not so much fishing. If you catch fish, that's kind of secondary. It's being on the water and seeing how it warms their lives. They seem to live from one event to the next."
Said Sanoski: "They love to be on the water, feeling the breeze, being totally relaxed. And you learn a lot from them. They tell you this and tell you that."
For those interested in helping to form a chapter in the Brainerd lakes area, contact Barringer at (218) 587-2842. For more information on LGF, go to its Web site at www.lgfws.com.
BRIAN S. PETERSON may be reached at brian.peterson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5864.
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