As a lifelong fisherman with 30 years of experience on Lake Erie, Art Panfil has learned during his time on the water that the sport offers many rewarding experiences above and beyond the act of catching fish.
Needless to say fishing has made a significant impact on Panfil’s life, and he decided to try to use his passion for it to make an impact on others.
Panfil is the founder and executive director of a nonprofit group called Cast It Forward, an organization created to offer no-cost, all-inclusive Lake Erie walleye fishing excursions to kids, veterans and seniors across Northeast Ohio who otherwise would not have that opportunity.
The group offers Lake Erie walleye excursions in a 23-foot Hewescraft Pro V fishing boat.
Panfil describes Cast It Forward as an organization passionate about sharing the love, joy and benefits of fishing, and the rewards for those who might otherwise not get to experience personal rewards of spending time with rod and reel on Lake Erie are priceless.
“I’ve learned that spending time on the water offers many great memories and rewarding experiences above and beyond the act of catching fish,” Panfil said. “Sharing quality time with friends and family, watching the sun rise on the water, or getting to know your true self are just a few of the impactful experiences we strive to provide to our participants when they fish with us.
“If we can make a positive, profound and long-lasting impact in our participant’s lives then our mission has been a success.”
Cast It Forward works with Boys and Girls Clubs, NEOPAT and VA groups — many of which are in Lake and Geauga counties.
One such group who recently enjoyed the benefits of this program is The Geauga Youth Center through Ravenwood Health in Chardon. According to counselor Ian DeWalt, the experience provided the teens in the group an opportunity to fish and explore Lake Erie while also learning about its waters and history.
“Captain Art and the Cast It Forward organization provided an amazing, and for many, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are already looking forward to future trips,” said DeWalt. “It is about so much more than just fishing and we got very lucky to be a part of what Art is offering.”
DeWalt said the group was split in two so that three or four students went one day and three or our went the next. The youths that went the first day were so impacted by the outing they woke up early the next day to see if there were any open slots.
“I even had staff members who heard about the trip come to me and say if I needed any help on the next trip to let them know,” DeWalt said.
DeWalt said the youth center has members from Lake, Geauga and Portage counties. They are scheduled to go back with Cast It Forward at the end of June and hope to make it an annual summer event.
According to Panfil, providing this experience for the youth center and other similar organizations is exactly the reason why he started his organization in 2021.
The Cast It Forward program is open to qualified participants from April through November every year. The program is all inclusive and offered at no cost to each participant. Included in each fishing excursion is the use of all fishing and safety gear, a full lunch, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and an iced cooler for any fish caught.
Each group is welcome to keep both the fish and the cooler.
A United States Coast Guard-licensed captain, Panfil said scheduling for this year’s fishing season has already begun, and they are currently accepting applications to participate.
In addition, the non-profit welcomes volunteers and donors to help accomplish the mission of providing a unique experience on the waters of Lake Erie.
For more information, go to castitforwardfishing.com.
