Glacial Lakes Region Chapter Marks 19 Years of the Life-Changing Power of the Outdoors
Early in the morning, boats began filling with anglers and volunteers along the shores of Lake Kampeska near Watertown, South Dakota.
By the time everyone headed onto the water, 51 participants and about 50 volunteers were taking part in a tradition that has been bringing people together for nearly two decades.
The Glacial Lakes Region Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently hosted its 19th annual Jamie Isaacson and Dale Brinkman Memorial Wheelin’ Fishing event, giving participants with disabilities or special needs an opportunity to spend a morning fishing with the help of volunteers.
The event began in Watertown in 2008 and has since become a longstanding tradition for the chapter and the community. In 2019, it was renamed in memory of Jamie Isaacson and Dale Brinkman, two original members who helped establish the event and were strong advocates for the NWTF’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program, an effort designed to help people with disabilities or those needing additional assistance participate in hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.
On Lake Kampeska, that mission has taken shape through a simple tradition: getting people on the water.
This year, 15 boats headed out under slightly overcast skies and a gentle breeze. Fishing was not fast, but that did not keep anglers from finding success. By the end of the morning, more than 50 fish had been caught.
Volunteers helped throughout the day, from getting participants onto boats to cleaning the catch so anglers could take their fish home.
When the boats returned to shore, the morning was not quite over. Participants and volunteers gathered to share photos and stories from their time on the lake before sitting down together for lunch.
Those moments — the fishing stories, the smiles and the chance to spend time outdoors together — are what have helped keep the event going year after year.
Francis Strohfus, NWTF Glacial Lakes Region Chapter president said the day ended much the same way it has for years: with participants already looking ahead to the next one.
“The event eventually ended with everyone agreeing to meet back at the same place next year to do it again,” Strohfus said. “Many memories and smiles, a great day!”
Nearly two decades after the first boats took to Lake Kampeska for the event, the tradition continues to honor Isaacson, Brinkman and the volunteers who helped build it while creating new memories for another group of anglers each year.