Cory Routh Brings Kayak Fishing to Wounded Vets

Werner athlete, Cory Routh brings Hero's On The Water (HOW) to the heroes at Walter Reed. Corey sent me this from a newsletter published by the Kayak Anglers Society of America, read on....

Wounded warriors from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and surrounding area will soon have a chance to experience the therapeutic aspects of kayak fishing as part  of Kayak Anglers Society of America (KASA)Heroes on the Water program. Leading this effort is Cory Routh, the new mid-Atlantic HOW coordinator. "I truly love the sport and have dedicated a lot to promote it. I want to give something back and what a better way than sharing a sport I love with some truly deserving individuals," he said. Kayak anglers from the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association will support Routh's efforts "We tentatively plan on doing at least six events in 2009," Routh said. "We will initially work with Walter Reed and plan to eventually include the local VA hospitals here in Tidewater Virginia.”We are still very new to this but anticipate a very successful program." Routh has been an avid kayak angler for 10 years and has owned and operated Ruthless Fishing, Inc. which offers guided kayak fishing trips and instruction. "I am happy to have Mark Lozier as a guide, he is an ex-marine and brings that knowledge with him to Ruthless Fishing."

Routh's book Kayak Fishing, The Complete Guide is often called the "bible" of kayak fishing. He also has experience organizing kayak events for charity. "I founded TKAA and organized its annual charity tournament which included 140 kayak anglers in 2008. For the last two years our charity has been Project Healing waters, and for each event Ruthless Fishing Inc and TKAA has offered services and support. We took 8-10 wounded vets out on the water to compete in each event. So far both events have been very successful," he said. "Cory Routh has the right combination of on-the-water and organizational experience. I feel confident that he will be able put on high quality, safe, and enjoyable events for the soldiers," said Jim Dolan, KASA's National HOW Coordinator.

Comments

[David H Brooks]

This is a really heartening gesture towards the wounded war veterans. Fishing can indeed prove to be very therapeutic. :)