FWC Covers "Wounded Warriors" Hook, Line and Sinker

Vets Gary Harris and Jack Williams fish Lake Okeechobee with pro angler Mark Shepard Photo: Coleen Curran

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has teamed up with the "Wounded Warrior Project" to recognize the service of our nation's injured war veterans. The FWC presented war veterans with five-year fishing license bonus-packages, containing items donated by the freshwater fishing industry.


The FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management presented the promotional package of tackle samples, fishing publications and discount coupons to each of the Wounded Warrior Project veterans as part of its current promotion of 5-year freshwater fishing licenses. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/License.

The Wounded Warrior Project is taking U.S. war veterans on fishing excursions on Lake Okeechobee. A pair of Iraqi war veterans went fishing June 7 and 8, guided by a professional bass angler, and caught more than 60 bass. During a two-day excursion last month, another pair of Iraqi war veterans caught approximately 50 bass. Two more fishing trips are planned for August and October.

The trip was sponsored by SMI Cold Therapy of Butler, Pa., a manufacturer of cold-therapy products and services for post-operative patient care in hospitals and surgery centers, and by BassOnline.com, Florida's largest freshwater guide service and outfitter for bass fishing on Florida lakes, canals and rivers.