Good Hands

[Dcoy]

Hi.As some may know I've been on Lake Of The Woods all summer.Home now cause of the disastrous straight line winds here in NE SoDak about a week ago.Sad deal-I have at least 20 mature trees down with some building damage but lucky compared to my neighbors.
Anyway,last week we hosted 20 Vets on a totally free 4 day muskie fishing trip and it was the highlight of my life so far.Great guys-ranging from Colonels to corporals.Disabilities or not,these guys could fish as well.We ended up boating 43 muskies.Biggest by a Vet was 49.5 inches and biggest by a guide was 52 inches(there is a god cause that guide was me )At some point I'll have a bunch of pics and will post them or give a website for anyone interested.
With 20 Vets,10 guides,about 10 helpers(cooks,cleaners,dock boys,etc)it was an expensive feat on an island and we spent about 15K but man was it worth it!Sounds like it may have legs and happen again.
Some tough dudes there but not a dry eye during the opening and closing ceremonies.The Vets presented the organizers with TRUE 'battle'flags and certificates and I had to turn away when I got mine-for once I was speechless.Turns out mine was in an F16C on a bombing run that destroyed a building in Iraq from which an insurgent sniper had just shot a US soldier.The pilot himself presented it to me.
Bottom line-we are in good hands!These guys can/will protect our country if the damn politicians will let them.Salt of the earth and a privilege to be around!

PS The last day I was with 2 guys who were really into rifles.Wow,glad they were from elsewhere or I'd have few coyotes to chase I'm afraid.

[Prairie Ghost]

Sounds like a great time and i agree one hundred percent

[Tbush]

Dcoy, Glad to hear you back safe and sounds like a trip for the books. congrats on all you have done, with out people like you and all your new fishing buddies....



well lets just say we might not be here doing what we are doing....my hats oof to you all." Now go kill some coyotes cause you can "


p.s heard about the so called high winds?? glad its basically all ok

[Dcoy]

Thanks Terry.Do you shoot a double barrel?Noticed you pulled the trigger twice.
Actually drove a ranch I have permission on last night and saw 3.Suspect a female and 2 young uns.Soon time!

[RandyRoede]

Dcoy, very, very ,nice indeed!!!!

You are truly a very giving and special person. Bless you for all you do. Many people could learn alot from you, including myself. Sometimes a guy thinks he is having a bad day, or got a bad deal and we should always remember it could be worse. Our veterans IMO , never ask for and usually don't receive thier just dues.

[Dcoy]

Hi Randy!
Thanks for the kind words but I had a ton of help.
Sure agree on our Vets-too easy to forget those serving every day.Just today I was out cutting/hauling trees in the muggy heat and was feeling sorry for myself.Then I remembered one Vet telling me about the day in Iraq when it hit 147 degrees.147!!!!!And they were in full body armor going house to house.(incidentally a short time later,he eventually went to one house too many and took a number of rounds head on-one in the leg disabled him.I saw his photo album showing his stages of rehab at Walter Reed,including a pic with Pres Bush and Laura-Bush had his arm around the guys shoulder)
Things can always be worse so I just try to remember that every day these guys are standing in front of us.If I get the chance,I try to help-even if its just a 'thank you'when I meet a vet.
Good hunting!

[lyonch]

I know one of the vets that were up there fishing and he said that he had an absolute blast!! His name was Adam and he was missing his left arm and right pinky finger from and RPG that hit his vehicle. He is also a little hard of hearing. I hope you got a chance to meet him cause even though what happen to him was terrible he lives everyday like its his last. Thanks for taking the time and helping the vets out

[Dcoy]

Hi.Yes,I know Adam.I didn't draw him to guide but a super guy who fishes well and hard despite his injury.An inspiration to everyone!

[Jerry Hunsley]

Hey, I was just over at the Lake of the woods yesterday. I went on a musky hunt and walleye fishing trip with my two boys up about 50 miles straight West of Ear Falls, Ontario. We stayed at Long Legged Lake for five days. We never caught a nice musky but had a big one follow a couple different times on the same reef. I think he had seen every musky lure around. The walleye fishing was excellent and caught a lot between 20 and 29 inch. In all me and the boys had a great time. One guy there did catch a 52 inch musky. Lucky bastard. I can see where that could get in a guys blood when they come up along side the boat. Sounds like you guys had a fantastic fishing trip. Good for you.

[lyonch]

Dcoy,
Adam and I had a long talk about you last night and he really appreciates all that you have done for him and his fellow soldiers. My hats off to you when Adam called you the #1 guide in the area!!!! He doesn't give people props unless they deserve it so congrats man you have done well.

[Dcoy]

Hi Chris!Was on Lake Of The Woods again and just got home and saw this.Adam is a super guy but a bit off on his guide opinions. Sure wish it was true but I know better.Please tell him Operation Muskie Two is now a 'go'and we are starting work on it.20 more guys will be going next July.
Jerry,do you recall the name of the guy who got the 52 incher on Long Legged?A friend named Pete Maina was there about that time and I've seen the pics of a biggie his dad caught.His dad is called 'Tex' and probably was wearing old logger suspenders all the time.If so,small world.As to muskie fishing,its really muskie 'hunting' so be careful unless you need another addiction.

[Jerry Hunsley]

Dcoy, That is the same guy. I didn't see the fish, but do know it was the guys father who caught the 52' musky. Small world EH?

[Dcoy]

Jerry,Yes indeed.I had been sent a pic but must have deleted it.The son was one of the guides in the Operation Muskie thing I mentioned in this thread.
Good hunting!

[lyonch]

I thought i would bring this one back to the top so people can relate to what Dcoy is talking about in his "Thank a Vet" post.