Anglers brave cold for chance to reel in big one

It was a cold, wet morning at Hidden Harbor in Woods Bay, but underneath his layers of soaked rain gear, Jim Landwehr’s heart was warm.

Landwehr was one of several volunteers who provided boats and fishing materials for the 18th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day on Flathead Lake last Thursday.

The event, which is organized by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Charter Boat Association, gives anglers with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of a simple summer pastime that many people take for granted. This year, 85 participants ranging from 7 to 87 years old showed up in hopes of hooking a big one.

Landwehr, who runs an outfitting business in Columbia Falls, has lent his fishing equipment and expertise to the event since it first began in the early ’90s.

“I think it’s just a great cause, and it’s really rewarding,” Landwehr said. “Maybe a little less rewarding on a day like today,” he joked, referring to the cool, damp weather.

Despite pouring rain and swelling waves, the first round of boats took off from the docks at around 8:30 a.m.

On board Landwehr’s vessel were 10-year-old Tristan Houk of Mission and his grandfather, Quent Colvin, along with 26-year-old Landn Benner of Columbia Falls and his mother and caregiver, Sue Benner.

It was the first boat-fishing expedition for Houk, who is autistic. He kept a close eye on the monitor of the electronic fish finder, alerting the rest of the group whenever he saw a black dot on the screen, which indicated that there was a fish swimming directly underneath the boat.

“Just be patient, and hopefully we’ll catch one,” Landwehr said, smiling at the young boy’s enthusiasm.

Landwehr kept up an air of optimism but was unsure of whether the anglers would catch anything.

“The fishing has been pretty bad this season with all the high water and everything,” he said.

The group made small talk as they waited, and Landn told stories from his many hunting and fishing adventures.

Although a gunshot wound to the head — the result of an accidental discharge — left him brain damaged and paralyzed on the left side of his body at age 18, Landn hasn’t let his disabilities get in the way of his outdoor activities.

Using a specially designed hand brace, Landn embarks on regular fishing expeditions on the lakes and rivers of the Flathead Valley. He also enjoys scuba diving and swimming.

“He swims in circles, but he just loves it,” Sue said, laughing.

About a half hour into the trip, the tip of one of the poles started to shake — a telltale sign that there was a fish on the line.

“Okay, who wants it?” Landwehr said excitedly as he rushed to unlatch the active pole from the back of the boat.

Landn, who was sitting closest to the pole, reached out to take it from Landwehr. As Sue gripped the bottom of the rod, Landn used his right hand to reel in the prize — a three-pound lake trout.

“Easy as cake,” Landn said of the catch.

Unfortunately, Houk was not so lucky. After 20 minutes of waiting for a second bite, Landwehr announced that it was time to go back to the harbor.

“I wish we could stay out longer, but there are still more people that want to get out, and we’ve got to give everybody a chance,” he said.

The group returned to the launch site, where more eager anglers awaited their shot at hooking a catch.

By the end of the morning, only one more three-pounder had been reeled in.

After everyone had a chance to fish, all participants met at the Woods Bay RV Park and Campground for a fish fry and barbecue.