Event Sponsored by Miller’s Landing Resort and Heroes For Freedom Foundation in Collaboration With Wounded Warriors Foundation
BY RON BALLANTI
Few things bring people together like spending time on the water, surrounded by beautiful pine-studded mountains and biting fish. Delivering a healing experience such as this was exactly what Miller’s Landing Resort and the Wounded Warriors Foundation hoped to do during the April 25 Inaugural Heroes for Freedom Tournament on scenic Bass Lake, a popular Southern Sierra reservoir an hour north of Fresno. And as the veteran fishing teams and their guides relaxed, shared fishing stories and showed off their catches back on land, it was clearly Mission Accomplished.
Many months in the planning, Michelle Miller, owner of Miller’s Landing, reached out to Todd Wittwer of Kokanee.net guide service to help coordinate 12 local guide boats (who eagerly donated their time and expertise) to take 36 veterans out fishing for the day. Wounded Warriors helped arrange the derby participants, who came from different areas of the state. The event included staying in Miller’s Landing’s lakefront cabins and a Friday evening Captain’s Dinner, before hitting the water bright and early Saturday morning.
While Bass Lake is known as an excellent warm water bass and crappie fishery in Summer, it is planted with rainbow trout in winter and early spring, and occasionally kicks out some holdover bows and brown trout, too. The lake is also a well-known kokanee salmon destination for those who are dialed in or book with a local guide.
The lake didn’t fail to provide good fishing and a great outdoor experience for these warriors, as everybody had a great time. This was particularly true for local guide Joon Nguyen of BassLakeFishing.com. His crew enjoyed a clean sweep at the awards ceremony. Aboard his boat Kokanee Express, the team of Travis Coleman, Gil Arroyo, Thomas Rodriguez and Jerry (no last name given) took 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place for the heaviest bag of three fish. In addition, the team and boat took 1st Place for combined weight, and Jerry won the Biggest Fish trophy for an impressive 5.21-pound rainbow.
“Everybody was a winner as far as I’m concerned,” said Miller. “It was so uplifting to see these brave warriors connecting with one another, making new friends, and of course, enjoying all the beauty of our mountains. We are looking forward to making it even better next year,” added Miller.
To learn more, visit: millerslanding.com, heroesforfreedom.org, and BassLakeFishing.com
