08_2025_REELLIFE_DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 37
fishing
I got to participate in
something special in
June. It was a C.A.S.T. for
Kids Foundation event,
put on for nine special
needs youth anglers at
Potholes State Park in
Eastern Washington. The
foundation, born in 1991,
had its first event at Banks
Lake in Washington. Today,
the organization is on pace
to host 100 or more fishing
events all over the nation.
C.A.S.T. for Kids was
founded by Jim Owens,
a retired Bureau of
Reclamation worker
who wanted to get kids
with special needs and
disadvantages out for a fun,
mentored day of fishing.
Melissa McCalmant, who
was present at the Potholes
event, is the Western
Operations Manager for
C.A.S.T. for Kids. She said
volunteers are a key part
of their operation. That
includes a volunteer
coordinator who does the
bulk of the work putting
each event together. The
coordinator gets with the
venue owner and, in some
cases, with their state fish
and wildlife agency to
arrange for fish stocking. In
lakes or ponds that already
have well-established fish
populations, this is not
necessary. The coordinator
also seeks cash donations
to purchase rods, reels,
and tackle boxes at a
discounted rate from Lews
and Flambeau for each
participant.
McCalmant also told me
they go to great lengths to
get special needs kids out
fishing. She recalled one
instance where a parent
said their child could not
participate because he was
in a wheelchair. McCalmant
procured a volunteer with
a pontoon boat that was
ADA accessible so that the
young man could indeed
enjoy a day out on the
water.
In fact, for many of the kids
participating, it’s their first
time fishing.
Melissa went on to tell me
that while many events
take place with anglers
fishing from shore, they
also offer events where
anglers will fish with
volunteer boaters on bass
boats or on pontoon boats.
Summing things up,
McCalmant said, “This
is a free event for the
participant and their family,
and it’s a day that allows
them to forget about their
special needs and that
they are too, just like one
of us, and can fish and
participate.’
As for the Potholes event,
Levi Rodelo, a local fishing
and hunting guide with
Ross Outdoor Adventures,
has a special needs
daughter. He took on the
role of Event Coordinator.
