Since its inception in 2008, the Detroit Lakes Area Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing has gradually increased the number of trips it offers to area seniors, veterans and youth each summer, from 10 its first year to over 100 last season.
This year, however, the nonprofit organization saw a 20 percent leap in that total, from 101 trips in 2012 to over 120 in 2013 (as of Friday, there were still a handful of trips scheduled this season, so there is not yet an official total).
“Part of the reason for that is because of the easy access we now have,” said Let’s Go Fishing President Tim Miller, adding that the handicap accessible docking area makes it much easier for LGF volunteers to get guests in and out of the pontoon.
That “easy access” was made possible, in part, through two area businesses, Miller added: The Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes, which provides free use of one of its docking slips for the Let’s Go Fishing pontoon throughout the summer, and At Ease Dock & Lift of Frazee, which donates the use of one of its lifts for the pontoon.
Though these two businesses have provided free docking services for the pontoon for the past three years, the nonprofit organization still has to pay for gas and maintenance on the pontoon, as well as fishing gear and other supplies for the trips.
Because of these ongoing expenses, the chapter is planning its third annual fundraiser, the Walk for Let’s Go Fishing, on Saturday, Oct. 5. Walkers will depart from the Detroit Lakes Pavilion at 10 a.m. for a two-mile hike through the city park, down the city beach and back again.
“So far, there’s 12 teams signed up,” said Miller, noting that event organizer Betty Hochhalter would continue to take registrations up until the morning of the walk.
The walk will be followed by an awards program and chili for the participants at 11 a.m.
To sign up for the walk, or for more information, please call Betty Hochhalter at 218-847-5670 or 841-1410, or send an e-mail to
dbdlmn@arvig.net
.
Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes.
