Veterans on Water tournament forges friendships, honors veterans

On Saturday, July 29, 31 teams took on Lake Mohawksin for a bass tournament that was extra special for all involved. A normal bass tournament brings about excitement and a sense of camaraderie and family. But the Veterans on Water event, now in its eighth year, brings tournament anglers and veterans together for an extra special event that is looked forward to by all. The event has grown every year, and this year 32 teams were signed up to fish. With one team having to back out at the last minute, 31 boats hit the water that morning. This event is special not only to those who fish it, but to organizers, and family members of both boaters and veterans.

“I can’t wait until next year,” several veterans were heard saying at weigh in, before the event had even finished. For some, this is their only chance to get on the water each year. For others, being involved in this tournament has renewed their love for the sport, getting them out on the water more often.

Boater and Navy veteran Darin Weiks and his nonboater Navy veteran Robert Nichols move from spot to spot on Lake Mohawksin for the Veterans on Water tournament.
(Photo by Beckie Gaskill/Lakeland Times)

Conditions were tough, with high humidity and temperatures in the 80s. While it made it tough for some to stick it out in the boat for the whole day, and the fish were less than cooperative, it did little to dampen the mood for these anglers.

Not only was there one veteran in each boat, riding along as the tournament nonboater, but many of the tournament anglers who volunteered to take a veteran fishing for the day, were also veterans themselves.

The day started with a rules meeting and the playing of the National Anthem. Each angler was provided a lunch by tournament organizers, and everyone made sure they had enough water to stay hydrated throughout the day.

This was followed by a boat parade at what would normally be called tournament take off. Each team was introduced with each veteran’s branch of the service. The crowd on shore applauded both the veterans for their service and the tournament anglers who took them out for the day.

Marine Corp veteran and tournament angler Terry Baumgartner (left) and Army veteran Mark Grenwalt fish along a shoreline, hoping to boat the big one.
(Photo by Beckie Gaskill/Lakeland Times)

Even though conditions were tough, seven teams were able to work together to bring in a limit of fish. Five teams were unable to boat a scorable bass. In the end, boater Scott Pellegrin, who is an Army veteran himself, and his partner, Marine Corps veteran Nathan Stutz, took top honors with 13.65 pounds.

Joe Marshall and Air Force veteran Kelly McClannahan wound up in second place with 12.49 pounds.

Randy Burton put himself and his nonboater, Army veteran Marsha Campbell, on 12.17 pounds of fish to take third place.

Boater and Army veteran Andy Dassow and his partner Air Force veteran Ryan Puls sealed fourth place with 11.69 pounds.

Kyler Koepple prepares to sing the National Anthem while Robin Muelver prepares to hoist the American Flag before take off at the Veterans on Water Bass Tournament.
(Photo by Beckie Gaskill/Lakeland Times)

After the weigh in, the field retired to the Sara Park Pavilion Complex for an afternoon of food, fun and awards. There were also many basket raffles that lined both sides of the Sara Park hall, with sponsors donating all of these goods, including bigger prizes such as a hunting blind and a patriotic rifle created specifically for the event.

The tournament is the brain child of Army veteran Kris Hanes. With the help of his mother, Robin Muelver, he launched the tournament eight years ago on the Lake Minocqua Chain. Eventually, the tournament was moved to Lake Mohawksin, as many of the veterans found the ride back to the Lake Tomahawk boat landing difficult in the afternoon with the waves made by the heavy boat traffic that lake sees. 

In subsequent years, Hanes gathered more volunteers to help out in the tournament and the event has grown ever since.

“Without the anglers and without the volunteers, we wouldn’t have this tournament,” Hanes said at the pre tournament meeting in the morning. “I can’t believe this is the eighth year and we’re still here, and it’s because of you guys.”

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].