CAMP RIPLEY, Minn.-Pro-anglers from across the Midwest came to Camp Ripley for one big mission June 2-3, 2016.
For the sixth consecutive year Trolling for the Troops has helped get service-members and veterans back on the water to help them reconnect and get back to what they love about being a Minnesotan-fishing.
"It's easy bringing everyone together, they are so excited to help make this event the success it has become," said Staff Sgt. Tim Krouth, event co-organizer for Camp Ripley.
Sponsored by many organizations and administratively driven by the Veteran Service Organizations, Trolling for the Troops has been hosted on Camp Ripley since it began in 2011.
Like many of the outdoor programs supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans 4 Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Trolling for the Troops encourages a good time while helping those get back to what they missed while in the service.
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"Like any good military operation we need an operations order," added Krouth.
The military five paragraph Operations Order or OPORD is broken down into several detailed segments, explaining the intent and conduct of the operation. For most organizations the
OPORD is the framework with which they begin their activities. This is an example of what one could look like:
- Situation: Formations of bass (large mouth and small), walleye and northern have been seen moving along the Mississippi River north of the town of Little Falls. Additionally, similar units have been reported occupying large areas of Lake Mille Lacs and conducting probing missions against the shoreline potentially threatening Minnesota residents in those areas.
- Friendly Situation: Minnesota service members and veterans have been placed on alert, supported by professional anglers to, on order, respond to the growing threat and engage these fish formations in close combat.
- Mission: On order, pro anglers, currently serving service members and veterans from across Minnesota fix with and engage bass, northern and walleye formations in the vicinity of Lake Mille Lacs and the Mississippi River in order to prevent the mass incursion against the Minnesota shore, share experiences and bond with like-minded personnel, heal as a veteran and ultimately-catch fish.
- Execution: Pro-anglers, from across the Midwest will link up with a veteran and a currently serving service member and begin movement to Lake Mille Lacs or the Mississippi River in order to begin fishing operations for a period of seven hours, no later than 0800 hours 3 June 2016. Units will deploy on several boat types including Riverpro, Ranger, Lund and Alumacraft, with a variety of rod-and-reel weaponry best suited for closing with and engaging fish.
- Service Support: Teams will move out to their select locations in the early morning following a hearty breakfast provided by the support staff of the event. The uniform for each operations is wet weather gear and based on commander's intent and weather conditions. Equipment and transportation is provided by the guide and all safety procedures will be followed as per the guidelines briefed when the operation began.
- Command and Control: Call-signs are recommended for use especially around Conservation Officer Patrols and are encouraged to be family appropriate. Code-word such as "I got one!" should be controlled in accordance to noise, light and litter disciplines to avoid other units engaging targets in your area. The operation ended with great success for the troops. Off the river, Lowell Laudert caught the largest pike, 28.5 inches, and Frank Ristow came up with the largest bass, 19.5 inches. On the lake, Ralph Kampa caught the largest pike, 27 inches, Jaclyn Cranelle caught the largest bass, 22 inches, and Andrew Hanson caught the largest walleye, 29.5 inches. Of the 46 teams, everyone came back with amazing stories to tell and smiles on their faces. The wildest catch was from Ken Klein who managed to catch a 19-inch redhorse sucker on the river.
