Lake Chelan Hosts The Fallen Outdoors Fishing Event

by Loni Rahm

The downpour Friday morning didn’t dampen the spirits of The Fallen Outdoors fishing expedition.

The Fallen Outdoors (TFO) is a non-profit organization that facilitates and schedules organized trips for honorably discharged vets and active duty personnel from all military branches. They take vets on fishing, hunting, camping and other outdoor excursions throughout the year.

On this soggy morning, 8 local captains and fishing guides donated their time and their boats to take about 20 vets out fishing for Kokanee. I arrived at the Lake Chelan Boating Club just as they were pulling off the water for lunch.

There appeared to be more hilarity and camaraderie than fish, but no one seemed to mind.

Austin Moser, Fishing Guide and Owner of Austin’s North West Adventures, was quickly nominated as the spokesperson for the group to tell me more about The Fallen Outdoors.

Moser grew up with a stepfather who was a Colonel in the military reserves. Moser thought the military would be his own career path until a medical condition derailed his plans. He told me he met up with some TFO guys who were planning a trip to Lake Roosevelt. Like a fish on the line, Moser was hooked.

This was their first trip to Lake Chelan, Moser said. But he has been involved in fishing trips on the Columbia River, Lake Roosevelt and Banks Lake. He proudly told me how the walleye fishing at Banks Lake doubled from 20 vets served two years ago to 40 vets fishing from 27 boats last year.

Moser made sure he named the captains and guides who made Friday’s trip possible, along with noting the generosity of Tony Race at IGA who donated the burgers and brats that were rapidly disappearing from the BBQ buffet hosted at the Lake Chelan Boating Club.

As the participants gathered outside for a group picture, there was unanimous support to make the Lake Chelan Fishing Expedition an annual event.

The Fallen Outdoors currently operates in 41 states and served more than 10,000 vets last year. There are many ways you can support their efforts through your donation of time or funding. Visit their website for additional details.

TFO of Eastern Washington would like to express their appreciation for the Lake Chelan fishing trip supporters:

  • Bobber Down Guide – Brad Wagner
  • Two Bob’s Guide Service – Bob Kincade
  • Northwest Angler Adventures – Mark Stevenson
  • Heavy Hitter Guide Service – Caine Brand
  • Austin’s Northwest Adventures – Austin Moser
  • Captain Del Barber
  • Captain Sam Bryant
  • Captain Shawn Nickles
  • Tony Race – Chelan IGA Market
  • Stevie Parsons & Roxanne Bryant
  • Kurt Middleton, Lake Chelan Community Hospital
  • and all our service men and women

Participants pictured at the top of this story and in the gallery below: (front row, left to right) Shawn Nickels, Kurt Middleton, Alvin Tapia, Anthony Morris, Sam Bryant. (middle row, left to right) Chris Mann*, Ken Chapman*, Dennis Ghylin, Keith Meredith, Austin Moser, Stevie Parsons, Roxanne Bryant. (back row, left to right) Kevin Witte*, Nathan “Tiny” Porter, Del Barber, Paul Wendlandt, Mark Stevenson, Ryan Springer*   With apologies to those participants not pictured/*denotes TFO leadership

Photos below are proof that there were fish caught!