Fishing Has No Boundaries event launches on the Chip

The Hayward Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) will host their 37th annual fishing event for anglers with disabilities Friday and Saturday May 17-18 on the Chippewa Flowage, with headquarters at Lake Chippewa Campground.

This year’s event has 72 participants, who will be assisted by 67 volunteers, 58 guides and 45 attendants/guests. They will go fishing aboard 32 watercraft. Sector boats will assist the anglers each day.

The chapter members and other volunteers will perform tasks such as cleaning fish, preparing and serving food.

This Thursday is set-up day, where members of the Hayward National Guard unit and volunteers will set up two large tents.

The Hayward Lions Club will cook and serve a Friday evening fish fry at the campground. Participants will gather at tables in a large tent for eating and socializing, with DJ music.

FHNB volunteers will prepare and serve a BBQ sandwich meal Saturday evening.

Awards and prizes will be given out throughout the two days. Trophies, rods and reels will be presented Saturday evening to anglers registering the biggest fish of each species (bluegill, crappie, walleye, northern, largemouth bass).

The Kingfisher award is given to a person exemplifying the spirit of Fishing Has No Boundaries, and the Ray Larsen Memorial guide’s award is given to a guide or guide assistant.

With the recent rains, “We are thankful that the water level in the Flowage is up,” said chapter secretary Jennifer Overman. The Flowage was about 1.5 feet below full pool at the end of last week.

Daily schedule

Friday: Registration, 7 a.m., coffee, donuts and fruit available; 7:30, safety meeting with sector and medical personnel, medical tent; 8 a.m., guides and guide assistants meeting; 8:30, welcoming ceremonies; 8:45, launch onto foliage for fishing; noon, lunch concession stand on grounds; 4:30 plm., all watercraft return; 5 p.m., all fish must be registered; 5:30, dinner and awards ceremony.

Saturday: 7 a.m., registration begins, coffee, donuts and fruit available; 8 a.m., guides and assistants update; 8:15, go fishing; noon, lunch; 4:30, all watercraft return; 5 pm., all fish must be registered; 5:30 p.m., dinner and closing ceremonies.

The Hayward Chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries also hosts a Kids Fishing Day on Nelson Lake in May for students with special needs from the Hayward Middle School and High School, and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School.