A wonderful morning of walleye fishing.

---

Carol reached out to us because although possessing an adventurous spirit, had never caught walleye on Lake Erie before. Currently dealing with some serious health concerns we were more than happy to put this excursion together for her and her husband.

The fishing was a bit slow, yet we still managed to put a mixed bag of fish in the boat. Walleye, steelhead, catfish and drum all cooperated. 

We’re all still waiting for the lake to cool and the fantastic fall fishing to heat up.

The lakes surface temp read 68 degrees with 10 mph SE winds making the waves around 2’.  The water visibility wasn’t great; about 4’ due to the big blow we’ve had the last few days.

Crank baits caught nothing but shorts and junk. Small stinger spoons and worm harnesses were the only game today. These put both steel and ‘eyes in the boat while running at speeds between 1.5 and 2.0 mph.

Please join us in wishing Carole a continued recovery and a long future of good health.

Good luck in your fishing adventures.

Hope to see you on the water!

Today Cast It Forward had Jen and her young sons ten year old Grey and eight year old Wally on board for their first ever fishing experience on Lake Erie!

Jen reached out to us because her boys are showing interest in fishing and the great outdoors. Wanting to nurture their enthusiasm but not having the experience herself, we were more than happy to help introduce her boys to our great sport.

Wally and Grey spent a fun morning of catching a mixed bag of Lake Erie’s bounty. Walleye, White Bass, White Perch, Catfish and Drum all kept them very busy. 

Working the Cleveland area, Reapers and Bandits produced in 35’ of water 40’ - 80’ back unassisted along with Dipsey’s with Stinger & Badmo spoons set at #1 / 35’ and #0 / 55’. The lake’s surface temp was 75 degrees and the barometric pressure came in at 29.92 InHg. Our trolling speeds were run between the 2.1- 2.4 mph range.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning on the water. Both Grey and Wally were good listeners and quick learners. By the end of our trip they were even helping with clearing the lines and getting the deck in order! I’m happy to say they did a great job all the way around. 

Hopefully, they’ll both have a lifetime of fun and adventure participating in our great sport. We take great pride in knowing that we may have played a small part in helping them get started on their fishing journey.

Good luck to Jen, Grey and Wally in their future fishing adventures.

Hope to see you out on the water!

Today Cast It Forward had Brian and his five year old son Sammy on board.

At his young age Sammy is already passionate about fishing and the great outdoors. Also joining us during our trip were good friends Jason and Ryan. 

Brian is an avid fisherman, but a tragic accident a few years back had since denied him the opportunity to enjoy our Great Lake. 

He wished to experience walleye fishing on Lake Erie again and wanted to share that experience with his young son. 

We were humbled and honored to provide this opportunity to them.

The walleye were scattered but in a cooperative mood once we found them.  Reapers, Bandits and Spoons produced early in 35’ of water 40’- 100’ back unassisted. By late morning the worm bite turned on in water from 48’-52’ deep. Dipsey’s were set at #1 / 75 and #0 / 85’. The lake’s surface temp read 75 degrees and the barometric pressure was at 30.95 InHg. We varied our trolling speeds between the 2.0 - 2.4 mph.

Despite having to overcome tremendous obstacles, Brian maintains a positive outlook and exudes an inner strength that impacts those around him. He is truly one of the most inspirational people I have ever met.

Please join us in wishing Brian, Sammy and his lovely wife Susanna all the best that life has to offer. It truly was a day we’ll never forget and hopefully we will share time on the water again sometime very soon.

Good luck in your fishing adventures.

Hope to see you out on the water!

Recently Cast It Forward had Army veteran Mr. Deon Grant on board with us.

Mr. Grant proudly and bravely served our country for six years. Included in his service was a tour of duty overseas during Operation Desert Storm.

An avid fisherman, Mr. Grant hasn’t been able to fish as much as he’d like to lately due to various health concerns. We were honored to make this trip happen for him and to share the magical effects of our Great Lake with him.

While not entirely the point, the fishing was slow. Although targeting walleye without much success, we still managed to put a few nice steelhead in the boat and also did battle with a huge, pole bending drum. All in all it was a relaxing and enjoyable day on the water.

Please join me in thanking Mr. Deon Grant for his service to our country and wish him good health moving forward and all the best that life has to offer.

Good luck in your fishing adventures.

Hope to see you out on the water!

Today Cast It Forward had veterans and first cousins Mr. James Hunt and Mr. George “Rick” Pierce on board for a morning of unbelievably fast fishing action along with some good natured, family fun and smack talk. 

Mr. Hunt proudly served our country for six years as a member of the US Air Force. Mr. Pierce proudly served our country for twenty years as a member of the US Navy. 

 After his service, James worked for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as a chemist and engineer. He was deeply involved in the design and development of the tires that went on our military’s Humvees. 

After his service, Rick has been working as a Surgeons Assistant. He and his wife travel extensively throughout the country and to this day Rick is still plying his trade wherever he is needed.

James contacted us because his cousin had never been on Lake Erie before nor had he ever caught a walleye. Hearing this, we jumped at the chance to make this trip happen. 

Although the lake was somewhat bumpy, the walleye were in an aggressive, feeding mood. Both experienced fisherman spent the morning catching a mixed bag of really nice ‘eyes from 2-6 pounds. 

 Reapers, Flickers and Bandits all steadily produced in 35’- 52’ of water 60’- 120’ back unassisted around the Cleveland area. Dipseys at #1 / 35 & 45’ with Stingers and Badmo Spoons rounded out our program. The lake’s surface temp read 72 degrees and we consistently trolled around the 2.0 - 2.2 mph range.

Please join me in thanking Mr. James Hunt and Mr. Rick Pierce for their service to our country.  These two former servicemen are great guys and a lot of fun to be around. We wish them well and look forward to spending time on the water again with them very soon. 

…As a Nonprofit Organization, we survive on the generosity of others. Today’s trip was sponsored by CCH Healthcare - a family of Nursing and Healthcare facilities. 

CCH’s aim is to provide their residents with the highest quality of care as well as the most advanced medical and rehabilitative treatment.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to CCH Health Care for their support and for making this trip possible for today’s participants. 

Good luck in your fishing adventures. 

Hope to see you out on the water!

Today Cast It Forward had William “Bill” Holk on board for an awesome late afternoon / early evening fishing excursion.  Bill served our country faithfully for twenty one years as a member of the U.S. Army. Also included in his service was a tour of duty overseas. 

Recently, Bill has been bravely battling some serious health issues and wanted to spend some time walleye fishing on Lake Erie with his beautiful wife Heidi. Also along for support was fellow VA member Scott Hill. 

Our organization was humbled and honored to fill Bill’s request. 

This group put on an absolute clinic on how to catch walleye. Bill in particular had an uncanny ability in identifying even the slightest bite off our boards and dipseys. Unbelievably we finished the evening with eight fish on at one time! 

We fished the Cleveland area in the 35’-45’ depths using Reapers, Flickers and Bandits. These were run at 2.0 MPH unassisted from 50’-110’ back. Small Stingers behind Dipseys at #2 / 40 rounded out our program.  

Please join me in thanking Bill Holk for his service to our country. Let’s also wish him a complete and speedy recovery from his current health situation.  It was a true honor and pleasure to have him and his lovely wife of twenty three years Heidi on board today. We look forward to spending more time on the water with them very soon.

 … As a Nonprofit Organization we survive on the generosity of others. 

Today’s trip was sponsored by Adventure Recreational Finance. As a local business, Adventure Recreational Finance offers financing for “Your Next Adventure.”

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Adventure Recreational Finance for their support and for making this trip possible for our participants Bill Holk and his lovely wife Heidi. 

Today Cast It Forward had Air Force Veteran Amanda Weaver on board along with fellow active Army National Guard member Steve Callahan. 

Motivated by 9/11, Amanda joined the Air Force in October 2001 and served our country until 2009. Steve, a native of Canton, Ohio enlisted in August of 1994 and is still active today. Both of these brave patriots also served overseas.

Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and now living in Northern Ohio, Amanda reached out to us because she had never been on Lake Erie before and catching walleye was on her bucket list. We were happy to fulfill her request. 

It turned out to be an awesome day on the water. The fish were cooperative and both Amanda and Steve went home with a nice cooler full of fish. 

We fished depths between 37-42’, 45’-48’ and 51-55’ feet of water targeting fish between 15’- 30’ feet down. Reapers 70’- 120’ back, Stinger Spoons/ Dipsey’s at #1 and #2 settings 30’ and 60’ back and Bandits 60’-80’ back all kept Amanda and Steve on their toes. It was a beautiful and productive morning.  

Please join me in thanking Amanda Weaver and Steve Callahan for their service to our country. And, we thank them both for spending time with us today and look forward to doing it again very soon. 

….As a nonprofit organization Cast It Forward survives on the generosity of others.  

Today’s trip was sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's through their Outdoor Fund Grant Program. This is their Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is funded by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s customers who “round up” their purchases.  https://www.cabelas.com/ and https://www.basspro.com/

Our heartfelt thanks to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s for making this trip possible for Air Force Veteran Amanda Weaver and Army National Guard Member Steve Callahan. 

Good luck in your fishing adventures. 

Hope to see you out on the water!

Today I had the honor and pleasure to share time on the water with Mr. Lloyd Eugene “Gene” Wright Sr. and his Son-In-Law Chris Marinchek.

“Mr. Gene”, who is 97 years young, was honorably discharged from the Navy and proudly served his country from January 1944 through May 1946. He is a retired Ford autoworker, a loving husband of sixty years to his late wife Fonda and a father of three.  

On Mr. Gene’s bucket list was to fish for walleye on Lake Erie. His daughter Denise Marinchek reached out to us here at Cast It Forward. We were deeply moved by his story and humbled and honored to make this trip happen for him.  

I’m happy to say that Mr. Gene caught a mixed bag of really nice walleye today between 3 and 10 pounds. He really showed us he meant business when he reeled in a 28” long 10 pound trophy Fish Ohio walleye! Truly, it was a day none of us will soon forget. 

Thank you for your service Seaman Second Class Mr. Gene Wright. It was an honor and a pleasure to spend time with you today. I hope we can fish together again sometime very soon.

 ….As a nonprofit organization we survive on the generosity of others.  Today’s trip was sponsored by the family of the late Stan Kerka. Mr. Kerka was a Navy veteran and proudly served his country from 1955 through 1957 achieving the rank of SKG3.  

He was an avid, lifelong fisherman and had planned to fish with us. Unfortunately, Stan went on to glory before he could achieve this goal. After his passing, his son Thom Kerka and family chose to honor their father by sponsoring a Cast It Forward fishing excursion. What better way to do so than to sponsor a trip for a fellow Navy Seaman. 

Please join me expressing our gratitude to both of these great men for their service to our country and their devotion to their families.  May God bless Mr. Gene Wright and Mr. Stan Kerka. 

Good luck in your fishing adventures. 

Hope to see you out on the water.

Today Cast It Forward had Army Veteran Mr. Allen “Packo” Sanches and his lovely wife Natalie on board for a beautiful morning of Lake Erie walleye fishing and sight seeing.

Originally from Hawaii, Packo proudly served our country for six years as a member of the Army’s Third Infantry Division via Fort Stuart, Georgia. Also included in his service was a tour of duty overseas.

Packo met Natalie on a Halloween blind date that was set up by mutual friends. Today their family has grown to now include two teenage children.

Originally, Natalie’s mom contacted us because she thought their family would enjoy a day of fishing together on Lake Erie. Hearing this, we were happy to make this trip happen for them. Unfortunately, their kids weren’t available for this trip but we plan on taking them fishing at a later date.

The lake’s conditions could not have been more perfect. A light southwest wind and slightly overcast skies had the walleye on the chew and we sent them home with a nice cooler full of fish.

Anti Freeze Reapers, Racy Shad Flickers and Blue Chrome Bandits produced in 35’- 45’ of water 60’- 100’ back unassisted around the Cleveland area. Dipseys at #1 / 35 & 45’ with small Watermelon Stingers rounded out our program. The lake’s surface temp read 75 degrees and we consistently trolled around the 2.0 - 2.4 mph range. 

Please join me in thanking Mr. Allen “Packo” Sanches for his dedicated and brave service to our country. And, we wish Packo and Natalie well and look forward to spending time on the water again with them very soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

…As a Nonprofit Organization, we survive on the generosity of others.

Today’s trip was sponsored by CCH Healthcare - a family of Nursing and Healthcare facilities. 

CCH’s aim is to provide their residents with the highest quality of care as well as the most advanced medical and rehabilitative treatment.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to CCH Health Care for their support and for making this trip possible for today’s participants.

Good luck in your fishing adventures.

Hope to see you out on the water!

Today Cast It Forward had Army Veteran Wayne Swiat on board. Wayne joined the Army in 1969 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. As a former boat owner who no longer owns a boat, Wayne reached out to our organization seeking an opportunity to again spend some time on the water and catch some Lake Erie walleye. Of course, we were happy to oblige.  

It turned out to be a great day on the water. The fish were very cooperative and Wayne went home with a nice cooler full of fish. We fished depths between 48’-56’ feet of water targeting fish between 18’-30’ feet down. Reapers 90-120’ back and Stinger Spoons/ Dipsey’s at #1 and #2 settings 30’ and 55’ back all kept Wayne very busy. All in all it was a beautiful and productive morning.   

 Please join me in thanking Wayne Swiat for his service to our country. And, we thank him for spending time with us today. We look forward to doing it again very soon. 

  ….As a nonprofit organization Cast It Forward survives on the generosity of others.  Today’s trip was sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's  through their Outdoor Fund Grant Program. This is their Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization funded by Bas Pro Shops  and Cabela’s customers who “round up” their purchases.   https://www.cabelas.com/ and https://www.basspro.com/    

Our heartfelt thanks to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s for making this trip possible for Army Veteran Wayne Swiat. Good luck in your fishing adventures. Hope to see you out on the water!