Wounded Warrior Derrick Mitchell, left, and fishing host Sherrill Bumgarner celebrate their catches during a Top Shelf Fishin’ Festival at Badin Lake last April. Lake Norman will host the event for the first time next month. COURTESY OF TERRY SNYDER
Levern Johnson wasn’t sure what to expect when he went to his first Top Shelf Fishin’ Festival. Now he’s hooked like a bass at the end of a pole.
The Desert Storm veteran says he was thrilled by the camaraderie among fellow servicemen and servicewomen while participating in recent bass and crappie events designed for them. So he’s looking forward to the first Lake Norman Top Shelf Fishin’ Festival on April 16.
“I really enjoy bass fishing,” says Johnson, a Dillon, S.C., resident and former Army sergeant who served from 1983 to 1992. “Most of all, I love the fellowship with the other veterans. And we’re all treated very well.”
Preserving that fellowship and thanking Wounded Warriors and disabled veterans for their service is the impetus behind the Operation North State fishing events, which have expanded as interest grows. Operation North State, based in Winston-Salem, provides military support service programs.
Fishin’ festivals are also planned this year at Badin Lake, on the Yadkin River, on April 30; Randleman Lake, May 19; New Bern, June 5; Jordan Lake, Oct. 3; and Oak Island, Oct. 9.
Operation North State founder and chairman Terry Snyder said the event is free to all Wounded Warriors and disabled veterans, who get to fish with premier tournament fishermen. It’s also free for fishing hosts/boaters. Snyder is seeking both – as well as volunteers – with a goal of hosting 75 such veterans who are paired with a fishing host.
“We need Wounded Warriors and disabled veterans to sign up,” Snyder says, “and we need the weekend tournament bass fishermen” as hosts. He emphasizes that for veterans, “It doesn’t matter what their percentage of disability is. If they’re classified as a Wounded Warrior or disabled veteran, they’re welcome to fish.
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