Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Norm, AFS, and fishing opportunities

Most Forum readers will remember that Norm Kopecky received a Special Recognition Award from the Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society (AFS), this spring. For those of you who know Norm, you won't be surprised that he immediately wanted to deflect the attention from himself. As a result, Dave Lucchesi, the SD Game, Fish and Parks biologist who nominated Norm, wrote the following article for the April 2010 Newsletter of the Dakota Chapter of AFS.

Sharing Their Passion for Fishing
By Dave Lucchesi

This article was written to fulfill a promise to Norm Kopecky as well as to highlight the work of three South Dakotans who provide angling opportunity to the disadvantaged. It all started with a need for information as I prepared to nominate Norm for the Dakota Chapter Special Recognition Award. My only means of collecting the information without him knowing was to conduct an interview for an article. He desired that the write-up include similar efforts by John Alvarez and Lauren Christensen, two others that also provide fishing opportunities for the disadvantaged. Kopecky hopes that publicizing these examples will inspire others to manage their ponds to provide unique fishing opportunities for the disadvantaged, elderly and youth.

Kopecky, a native of Bellwood, Nebraska, grew up fishing and hunting and was always interested in natural diversity. He received college degrees in biology, business and psychological counseling, and served as a naturalist at several locations. In 2000, Kopecky initiated a project to dig a fishing pond on his property near Lennox, South Dakota. Seven years later, a 4-acre pond dotted with seven islands was completed. This pond now serves as a fishing destination for about 200 to 250 anglers annually. Anglers include participants in programs such as Dakota Abilities and School for the Visually Handicapped as well residents of nursing homes and disadvantaged individuals.
Participants enjoy fast fishing for a wide variety of fish species including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, wipers, walleye, goldeye, and various sunfish. Kopecky remarked, �Participants like high catch rates for a good variety of high quality fish.� Interestingly, he mentioned that his participants, like anglers all across the Dakotas, are still a little �walleye crazy.�

Kopecky�s guests can fish from a 32 foot long covered dock with safety railings. Another popular fishing location is on a bridge leading to one of the seven islands scattered around the pond. Kopecky provides the tackle and bait and requires a volunteer to personally assist each angler. He insists on using circle hooks to minimize hooking mortality. His pond has been featured in two articles in the Pond Boss Magazine, including one that highlighted a South Dakota State University study on fish condition.

John Alvarez of Bridgewater, South Dakota, suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 1992 auto accident. He realized that one form of therapy was fishing with his son, Trevor, on Wolf Creek near his home. That spawned the idea to provide this therapeutic opportunity for others with similar injuries. His vision began to materialize in 1998 with a 4-year project to construct a 130 foot long by 50 foot wide pond.

In 2002, the Alvarez pond hosted 36 anglers from the Childrens� Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls. By 2009, Alvarez was host to over 400 disadvantaged and elderly anglers from across southeastern South Dakota. Anglers caught a variety of species including some notable largemouth and smallmouth bass that tipped the scales at 3 to 5 pounds. Everyone is provided with a meal as part of their fishing experience.

Alvarez told me several of his favorite stories including one involving an angler named Bob who, with only one good hand and no legs, managed to land a fish without any assistance. His excitement was overwhelming. My favorite story was of a 110 year old Salem woman, who after landing a big largemouth bass, had slumped over in her chair. Alvarez, concerned about her condition, asked if she was alright and she replied, �I just caught a big fish; I need a nap!�

During the winter, Alvarez conducts fundraisers to help support his dream. Donations provided by participating organizations and the efforts of volunteers help to defray the costs of his efforts. More information on his non-profit organization can be found at MyFishingPond.com.

Lauren Christensen, now retired from the South Dakota Soybean Council and United Soybean Board, provides a variety of activities including fishing, horseback riding and wagon rides on his property northwest of Trent, South Dakota. He became involved when a friend asked if his son and other children from the School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls could come out and fish his �-acre pond. Thirteen year later, his pond and property are host to weekly guests from organizations including Achieve, Dakota Abilities and Advance.

Participants can fish for bluegills in his pond, creek chubs in the creek meandering through his property or channel catfish in the Big Sioux River. Local horse owners also provide horseback and wagon riding opportunities for guests. Both of us became a little choked up when he talked about the experience of watching disadvantaged kids catch their first fish or ride a horse for the first time. He feels strongly that landowners have a responsibility to share their land with those less fortunate.

I believe that many of us not only share a passion for fisheries and fishing, but have experienced the joy that helping others catch fish can bring. Most have participated in a kids� fishing day, or an event to provide fishing opportunity to disadvantaged anglers like Catch a Rainbow. However, as fisheries professionals serving a diversity of customers, our mission to provide angling opportunities for our residents and visitors often does not leave much time to focus on specialized opportunities. Fortunately, we have caring individuals who are willing to do just that!