In Minnesota, like many other places, fishing is a pastime that brings families together during the summer months.
In fact, we’re already counting down the days until the Minnesota fishing opener, so we can hit the lakes. But, what a lot of people forget is that fishing isn’t always very accessible for individuals with disabilities.
But, one national nonprofit organization is trying to prove that Fishing Has No Boundaries.
A Passion for Fishing
Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc. was founded in 1986, after Bobby Cammack broke his leg and found he couldn’t do what he was passionate about because fishing with a cast wasn’t nearly as easy as one would think.
He organized the first Fishing Has No Boundaries event just two years later. The event included 75 people from seven states. The event was open to all persons with disabilities regardless of age, race, gender or severity of disability.
Want to Get Involved?
Fishing Has No Boundaries is a national organization that hosts events in various locations across the country a few times each year. They bring adaptive equipment to each event including accessibility ramps for people in wheelchairs to use to board boats, adapted fishing poles and reels, and often boats with wider doorways.
Locally, they have Minnesota chapters in Bemidji, Brainerd, Cottonwood, and St. Cloud.
However, they also have chapters in 13 other states including Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Washington, Arizona, New York, Indiana, Kansas, and Louisiana.
Do you want to head out in your handicap van to one of these events? You can get in contact with any of their chapters through their website here: fhnbinc.org.
Have you been to a Fishing Has No Boundaries event before? What was your experience like? Would you try an adaptive fishing event for yourself? Join the conversation below!