Fishing for the disadvantaged

[Dan Gwaltney]

No, I'm not talking about trying to corner crippled Bluegills, I'm thinking more about providing an opportunity for some folks whose physical abilities are somewhat diminished to get out on a real lake and do some real fishing. Several months ago, I bought a 24' pontoon boat, and I chose this boat because most of the people I like to fish with just happen to have mobility issues and need a little extra help. It has occurred to me that there are many thousands of people who would love to get out there and do some serious 'Gill fishing, but there is a serious lack of opportunities. Now there is nothing I would enjoy more than to just take all of these people fishing for free, but the fact is that I can't afford to do that. I would have to have some sort of return in the form of money to support the operation, as well as to keep the lights on in my humble home, so I am asking all of you what you think of the idea as an unofficial, semi-nonprofit venture.

What I have is: A wheelchair friendly boat with plenty of deck space. A Wife who is a Nurse and likes the idea. Sufficient knowledge to have a reasonable expectation of catching a few fish on most days, and a lot of fish on a few days. A landing where I can rent a slip for $100 per month and provide access for the mobility challenged. A desire to be of some service to my fellow man.

What I need is: To renew my long-expired "Captain's license". A few ideas and some encouragement from my friends here on the BigBluegill Forum. In other words, am I nuts or is this really a pretty decent idea? Oh yeah, I'd be needing a SERIOUS insurance policy as well. ;-)

[bluegillboogieman]

BOTH. It is a really DECENT idea. I'm just surprised a NUT had it!

I assume you have taken some of your mobility challenged friends out for a test and brought them back alive and happy about the experience. I would think that happy part would be the desired end result. Alive would fall under some kind of government regulation I assume.

I guess you'd be a fishing guide and furnish just about everything needed for a simple, pleasant day on the water for mobility challenged fisherfolks. Corporate sponsorship works for them tv bass boys. Why not for this? Or form a real non-profit organization that real people keep afloat. Those real people being the family and friends of the folks who would love to go fishing again if they had a way. Even non-profits pay salaries to people who do their work and pay their operational costs.

Maybe you've already gone down these roads and want to keep it way more simple than that. Maybe all you want from me is a check to help get you licensed and insured and let the happy fisherfolk pay the operational expenses. If that'll work, I'll help some. I'm real people.
REAL start up cost/REAL people=LAUNCH!!!!!! Anymore real people out there?

Boogieman

[Dan Gwaltney]

Actually I hadn't thought about trying to get money out of you Boogieman, but now that you mention it........ :-D

Nahhh, not looking for donations at all. I was thinking more of charging a little fee for those who can afford it. One thing I thought of is to sell gift certificates for folks to give to Grandpa for Father's Day and such. Some of them old folks are really hard to buy for. My main concern is keeping the price really low. I don't really need to make money on the operation, but I do need to keep the expenses covered, and put enough aside to maintain the boat and keep it equipped. Fishing gear be pricey ya know. Yesterday, I paid fourteen bucks for 150 yards of line!! I can easily afford to keep myself and my family supplied, but I can't finance John Q. Public and remain "afloat" very long.

All I'm looking for here are ideas to keep me out of trouble with things I might not have thought of.

[bluegillboogieman]

So you want me to send you ideas to keep you out of trouble instead of money. How NUTS are you?

Tell me more about the gift certificate idea. You would sell them and take the recipient fishing?

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

Dan,several years ago I was involved with a disable sportsman group that we took handicaped hunters on a pontoon to duck hunt. I was the only one on the boat with all his legs and wings, we wrapped the pontoon in camo and called them in. I also took some goose hunting,I thought they would get a big kick out of it but to my surprise it was not them shooting a goose that put them a glow but it was them being out there when their son or daughter shoot their first goose,it was very heart warming to be part of their memories. If you can find a disabled group that is a registered tax free orginization you might be able to come in under their umbrella, and any donation would be tax free for the giver, and you would get some benefit also, so talk to your states wildlife department and find out who in your state is a disabled sportsmans group you might be able to become a new chapter, GOOD LUCK

[10.5" RES Sharon]

Did you get this going? We need an update