Recommended Fishing Events for Disabled Anglers and Resources for Adaptive Fishing Equipment

One source estimates that there are fifty-six million people with disabilities across the country and common sense tells us the many of those disabled people probably gave up one of their favorite hobbies when they acquired a wheelchair, thinking their fishing days were over. But it doesn't have to be that way. Two great non-profit organizations are working hard to re-introduce fishing back into the lives of disabled people and to teach fishing to physically challenged individuals who never tried the sport before.

THE PARALYZED VERTERANS OF AMERICAN offers a wide variety of boating and fishing events each year for both the seasoned disabled angler and beginners who have never baited a hook. Their Bass Tour is officially sanctioned by The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and it includes tournaments in many states where participants can fish from a boat or from the shore. In the Open/Team Competition, each disabled fisherman is paired up with an able-bodied boating partner who acts as a coach, helps to find fishing locations and with selecting the baits to use. Disabled anglers taking part in the Bank Competitions are also paired up with volunteers who assist but who cannot fish themselves. For more information including locations and schedules for upcoming Bass Tours you'll find the PVA website address listed in the 'resources' area below.