thedrifter
07-09-09, 08:07 AM
July 9, 2009
Lk. Hopatcong fishing tourney's special lure: Help for wounded GIs
Marines to join bass anglers
By MATT MANOCHIO
STAFF WRITER
It's conceivable that Eric Kowal and Joby Poster will be fishing on Lake Hopatcong this weekend with wounded war veterans who might not be able to hold a fishing rod with two hands.
That won't matter to the two former Marines. The whole point of Saturday's Marines Helping Marines Fishing Tournament is to get injured veterans out of their hospitals for some fun.
Poster, 38, a professional fisherman out of Saylorsburg, Pa., and Kowal, 27, of Roseto, Pa., who works in community relations at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township, are anticipating at least 15 veterans will come up from military hospitals in Maryland and Virginia to cast lures side by side with fishermen for a chance to win $4,000.
Marines Helping Marines is dedicated to assisting war veterans recovering from injuries, Kowal said.
"They try to take some of the outpatients and take them on some kind of outdoor recreational activity," Kowal said. "It's kind of like a weekend retreat, something to take them out of the hospital."
Kowal said this will be the first event of its kind on Lake Hopatcong. There is online preregistration, and in-person preregistration at 4:30 a.m. at Lee's Park. Boats launch at 6 a.m.
Poster, who's sponsored by BassCat boats, said he was toying with the idea of having a tournament for BassCat boat owners.
"It just came into my head," Poster said Tuesday. "I said I'd like to do something for wounded Marines and raise money for them."
Poster said he contacted Marines Helping Marines, and the idea took off from there.
While at least 15 wounded veterans will be paired with fishermen on the lake to catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, individual sportsmen can also register to participate. The entry fee is $200 per boat.
Kowal said there are 35 boats already registered. The top prize, based on 80 boats registered, would be roughly $4,000, with 30 percent of the money raised to be donated to Marines Helping Marines. The winner will be determined by a series of weigh-ins. There will be a noon barbecue and live entertainment at the park.
Poster said Dave Wolak, a North Carolinian who's a Bassmaster Tournament pro, will attend.
"He'll be taking a Marine out on his boat, as well, and competing," Poster said.
Both Kowal and Poster said the veterans who participate will be given gear they can use and keep when the tournament's over.
Ellie
Lk. Hopatcong fishing tourney's special lure: Help for wounded GIs
Marines to join bass anglers
By MATT MANOCHIO
STAFF WRITER
It's conceivable that Eric Kowal and Joby Poster will be fishing on Lake Hopatcong this weekend with wounded war veterans who might not be able to hold a fishing rod with two hands.
That won't matter to the two former Marines. The whole point of Saturday's Marines Helping Marines Fishing Tournament is to get injured veterans out of their hospitals for some fun.
Poster, 38, a professional fisherman out of Saylorsburg, Pa., and Kowal, 27, of Roseto, Pa., who works in community relations at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township, are anticipating at least 15 veterans will come up from military hospitals in Maryland and Virginia to cast lures side by side with fishermen for a chance to win $4,000.
Marines Helping Marines is dedicated to assisting war veterans recovering from injuries, Kowal said.
"They try to take some of the outpatients and take them on some kind of outdoor recreational activity," Kowal said. "It's kind of like a weekend retreat, something to take them out of the hospital."
Kowal said this will be the first event of its kind on Lake Hopatcong. There is online preregistration, and in-person preregistration at 4:30 a.m. at Lee's Park. Boats launch at 6 a.m.
Poster, who's sponsored by BassCat boats, said he was toying with the idea of having a tournament for BassCat boat owners.
"It just came into my head," Poster said Tuesday. "I said I'd like to do something for wounded Marines and raise money for them."
Poster said he contacted Marines Helping Marines, and the idea took off from there.
While at least 15 wounded veterans will be paired with fishermen on the lake to catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, individual sportsmen can also register to participate. The entry fee is $200 per boat.
Kowal said there are 35 boats already registered. The top prize, based on 80 boats registered, would be roughly $4,000, with 30 percent of the money raised to be donated to Marines Helping Marines. The winner will be determined by a series of weigh-ins. There will be a noon barbecue and live entertainment at the park.
Poster said Dave Wolak, a North Carolinian who's a Bassmaster Tournament pro, will attend.
"He'll be taking a Marine out on his boat, as well, and competing," Poster said.
Both Kowal and Poster said the veterans who participate will be given gear they can use and keep when the tournament's over.
Ellie