Testimonials 2023
Denise Sobey Tycast
We are so grateful to have experienced my son Zach's first-ever fishing trip on Lake Erie. We had a perfect day! Thank you again, Captain Art and Uncle Dave, for this special day!! Your dedication to this awesome organization has touched many lives!! May God keep Blessing you on this success!!
Michele Caya
We had such a wonderful time when we went out on Lake Erie. Cast It Forward is a top-notch organization. This trip gave me some valuable family time with my daughter Rio who is fresh out of the service and my son Riley who is a senior in high school. This was my daughter’s first-time fishing on Lake Erie for walleye, and she caught the biggest fish. I bagged up the walleye last evening and there was enough fish for 10 meals!
This trip had another significant meaning to me because I grew up boating on Lake Erie with my parents. I am used to being on the water, but my kids were too young to remember. Today, as I am writing this, my mother has been gone for 14 years. So, to have my daughter who had been stationed in Japan along with my son fishing with me was symbolic of my time spent on the water with my parents.
I cannot thank Captain Art and Cast It Forward enough for the memories they provided us!
Also, thank you to NEOPAT where I found out about this opportunity as my daughter, and I are both disabled vets. An amazing experience!
Angel Wharton
Thank you so much Cast It Forward. You are exactly what my family needed to connect. Art is such an amazing leader and Captain helping us navigate the waters and being so present and understanding with my kids. Being able to spend time on the water and CATCH SOME FISH was not only healing BUT SO MUCH FUN. As a family we connected and have amazing memories to last us generations. WE ARE HOOKED and we will now make fishing an honored family event as we continue to explore this new way of living. Many blessings and gratitude to your organization.
Tom Perample
Dear Captain Art,
I can't thank you, First Mate Dave, and your entire organization enough for the
wonderful adventure that you provided my grandson and me. Starting at dawn, on Lake
Erie, and seeing the beauty of the sun just beginning to rise set the stage for the
adventure to come. After explaining all the safety features that your boat has and what
kind of fishing we would be doing, we cast off.
We continued out on the lake and learned how you use all the fishing features that your
boat provides. Shortly after letting out four lines, my grandson had his FIRST walleye
and then ANOTHER large keeper. HIS FACE LIT UP WITH JOY. I do believe that you
have made a fisherman out of him. He had fished before from the shore on local lakes
... but never on a true fishing boat ... and had never caught a fish any bigger than a
small blue gill.
We spent the rest of the morning catching walleye and releasing those that were too
small. Once we reached our limit you pointed your boat toward home and told us that it
might get a little rough. The sky was blue with small white clouds which seemed to form
a circle around the boat. The choppy waves picked up a bit and the spray of water over
the bow just added excitement to a fantastic journey!
I'm pushing 80 and felt like a kid again, enjoying great company, my grandson's joy at
catching great fish, and look forward to having a fantastic meal. By the way, when I lost
that lunker of a walleye, I also lost my sunglasses. So, the next time you are out you
may see a walleye wearing sunglasses. All the other walleye will be jealous!!!
CAST IT FORWARD truly is an amazing organization and I wish you years of success.
John Randall & Family
I am a 15-year prostate cancer survivor. Thank you, Captain Art, for the fabulous fishing trip for
my three grandchildren (two from California) and myself. None of us had been to Lake Erie
walleye fishing before and your exceptional knowledge, experience and skill of fishing helped all
of us catch walleye. The grand-kids and I had a wonderful time together building amazing
lifelong memories complete with great photos and videos. We had so much fun on this fishing
trip. I would highly recommend Captain Art and Cast It Forward to anyone who is looking for a
great fishing experience.
Sean:
It was a very memorable and fun experience! I loved fishing with my cousins and my granddad!
Captain Art is a great guy!
Tara:
We loved our time with Captain Art and thought he made for a very inclusive and
comprehensive experience. He was very friendly and engaging. Everyone was able to
participate in the fishing activities no matter the age level. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and
would highly recommend this experience to every family!
Carter:
My experience with Cast it Forward Fishing was memorable and fulfilling. I was excited that I
had the opportunity to go on Lake Erie as I have never been on the Great Lakes before. Captain
Art was extremely welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. He made our trip an enjoyable and
fun experience. We all caught fish and learned a thing or two while doing it.
Alexis Evcic (Cornerstone of Hope)
Thank you so much for making this a great experience for my daughter. She and her dad went fishing a few times before he passed away and it was something that they really enjoyed doing together. She was so happy when I picked her up from camp on this day, and so excited to tell her grandparents and I all about it. Thank you, not only from me – but from her Daddy that is in heaven.
Chris Boetto
My grandson and I went fishing with Captain Art recently and we had a great time. I had fished Lake Erie many years ago and felt lucky to catch a couple of walleye. He provided all of the equipment and with Captain Art's experience we were able to catch our limit before noon. My grandson and I were both thrilled to have such a wonderful time. I applaud Captain Art for his efforts to bring the joy of fishing (and catching fish) to kids, veterans and seniors and I hope you get the chance to go fishing with him too.
Parker Militzer
Thank you to Captain Art for inviting me to go fishing on Lake Erie. I was able to bring my friend
Max, and both of our dads. We had to wake up bright and early, and it proved to be an
awesome day to go walleye fishing. It was my first time fishing on Lake Erie, and my first time
catching a walleye. It was so exciting pulling one of them in. Between the four of us, we caught
about 30 fish. After a long day on the boat, Captain Art showed us how to fillet the fish. He let us
take the fish home, and we cooked the walleye and ate them for dinner that night. Since the trip,
I’ve been fishing with my friends a bunch, and have been able to enjoy it way more. Thanks to
Cast It Forward for allowing me to have a great experience fishing on a boat.
John Occhino
Captain Art,
Just an overdue note to say “Thank You” for the most wonderful fishing excursion you provided to my daughter, two grandsons and me.
The boys had never been on Lake Erie fishing and your knowledge, patience and instruction was phenomenal. Not only did we enjoy an exciting boat ride, we also caught many large walleye. (We used your on-line baking recipe that same evening!!)
The experience was outstanding and it will be one to remember for a long time. Blessing to you and continued success with you mission.
John Occhino and Family
Pati Burkadt
AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! A million thanks to Cast It Forward!!
Captain Art goes above and beyond with his kindness, thoughtfulness, and amazing skill with the whole process. He is very helpful, accommodating, generous, thoughtful and extremely knowledgeable. It is obvious he LOVES what he does for veterans, children and seniors. Although this was different than how we had fished for walleye in the past on local lakes, we caught some HUGE walleye.
Captain Art ran his tail off all day so that we would have a great time and we did!
The Hewescraft Pro V fishing boat was really cool and perfect for Lake Erie walleye fishing. Just being in a boat on the lake fishing with my awesome dad Tom and my amazing boyfriend Doug, brought back good memories. Now we have this trip together with great photos and video to boot!
It is a wonderful opportunity that Cast It Forward offers for those who don’t have the chance. You truley love what you do for others in honor of your father and he would be extremely proud.
Happy Walleye Hunting!
Amy
Had a great outing with captain Art. He was organized, informative, efficient and timely. We had a great morning of fishing and have lots of great pics and memories of 3 generations fishing together. The walleye was delicious and we used the recipe that was posted and recommended on the site. Would definitely recommend to all ages!
Michael M - Marine Corps Veteran
My sister, my son, and I recently had the pleasure of fishing with Captain Art and Cast it Forward. We had never been walleye fishing before, and we were a little nervous about what to expect. But Captain Art was so patient and helpful, he made us feel right at home. He taught us everything we needed to know about fishing, and he even helped each of us catch our first fish! We had so much fun on the trip, and I would definitely recommend Cast it Forward to anyone who is looking for a great fishing experience.
We would not have had this fishing opportunity without the efforts of Captain Art and the Cast It Forward organization.
Aaron Futrell
My Family and I had a wonderful time out on the boat with Cast it Forward. Captain Art had
everything perfect from the moment we arrived. The lake was beautiful, and the fish were biting.
My kids had a great time reeling in fish, and we filled the cooler. The highlight of the trip for my
daughter was when she got to drive the boat on the way back in. We could not have asked for a
more professional and wonderful organization. I would highly recommend Cast it Forward to
other Veterans wanting to experience Lake Erie walleye fishing.
John Brendan
Couldn’t have asked for a better trip or Captain. Thanks Art for your dedication to the American Veteran. Your selfless devotion to providing individuals with the opportunity to experience an amazing fishing adventure is truly appreciated. Cast It Forward provided me with quality time with my brother and nephew. Most importantly, peace and quiet with the most beautiful views of our shoreline and Lake Erie. This was a great time to sit back and reflect on things I’ve missed so much while serving our Nation. Thanks again!
Michael Buckley
My son Timothy, my best friend Rick, and I recently had a fishing trip for the record books. This was my son's first time fishing on a boat and he had a blast. He also caught the two biggest fish of the day and now this trip has got him hooked on walleye fishing. I had a wonderful time also. It was very nice for Tim, Rick, and I to get out and have a good time and laugh - we even did the fish dance to get the fish to bite.
This experience was excellent all the way around and I could not have asked for a better fishing trip. We had this opportunity thanks to the Northeast Ohio Foundation for Patriotism (NEOPAT) and the local nonprofit organization Cast It Forward. Captain Art from Cast It Forward made this trip very memorable for us. He was polite, friendly, knowledgeable, and a great Captain. He taught us about boating on the lake, walleye fishing, which lures to use, and the best areas to fish, and he knew right where to go to put us on fish. We would not have had this opportunity if it was not for Captain Art and Cast It Forward. I would recommend their organization to anyone looking for a great fishing experience. Thank you very much to Cast It Forward and Captain Art.
Family Fishing Trip
Andrew Brugger. Cast it Forward did a great job with our fishing trip on June 1st. My son had a great time and we had a really good day of fishing. Our two senior veteran friends also enjoyed it, and Captain Art did a really good job of accommodating their special needs while on the boat.
Vincent W. It has been decades since this 70-year-old Army Veteran was on Lake Erie. It was a
very pleasurable experience and Captain Art went above and beyond to ensure
everyone on our walleye fishing excursion had a great time.
Ron R. It was a very pleasurable experience with Captain Art and the Cast It Forward
organization. They made this Lake Erie walleye fishing experience a bucket list check
off for me.
