By MICHELLE LOVATO

Lake County Leader

A small group of extremely excited special needs residents of Lake View Care Center in Bigfork got a once-a-year chance to float on Flathead Lake with fishing poles in their hands. 

The Lake View crew participated in the annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on June 16.

“All the residents were super excited even in the cold rain as they look forward to this boating fishing trip and picnic all year and are already talking about next year,” said Karyn Jones, who directed the day’s event for the Lake View Care Center.

But residents were not the only happy participants.

“Our staff all put in their request for the chance to volunteer a year in advance as the sight of the happy and excited faces and reactions of our residents when they catch a fish is priceless and is why we work at Lake View,” Jones said.

Lake View anglers and their volunteers were part of the 40 special-needs anglers who participated in the 23rd Annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on Flathead Lake sponsored by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, public information officer John Fraley said.

Anglers fished from boats out on the lake and fished off the shore at Saddle Horn Resort. 

“The anglers caught a total of 26 lake trout ranging up to 29 inches in length,” Fraley said. “Anglers from 5 to 82 years of age hailed from the upper Flathead Valley, Kalispell, Polson, Ronan, Libby, and as far away as Anaconda and even one couple from Idaho.” 

Anglers fished from charter boats and private craft; all boat captains volunteered their day for the event and were seen as heroes by the crowd.  

At a post-fishing barbecue, about 125 people, including anglers, helpers and family members, enjoyed a gourmet lunch and fish fry from lake trout fillets provided by the anglers, Fraley said.  

A casting contest, where anglers attempted to hook fish models with casting plugs, proved to be popular as more than 30 people participated to win prizes.  

A western band provided music.

Saddle Horn provided the facility for the barbecue and celebration. Hidden Harbor provided the boat launching facilities.  

The Montana Game Wardens Association and a handful of others served as major sponsors, along with 40 businesses and groups.  

Jerry Howard, chairman of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Crossing the Barriers Committee, organized the food, donations, and other aspects of the event. He also baked dozens of chocolate chip cookies, which have become an event trademark. Dawn Marie assisted Jerry in fundraising and prize donations.

The Fishing Without Barriers Day is held annually to provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to get out on Flathead Lake and enjoy fishing with the experts. For many of the anglers, it is their only fishing experience for the year. Also helping out were many state game wardens, fisheries biologists, and volunteers.

Last year one angler caught a 39-inch lake trout, Fraley said.