Page 9 - Mid America Boating - August 2024 issue

U.S. Army veterans Milt and Cheryl Link hoped their experienced skipper could
sunrise on Lake Erie, the freedom of riding Panfil is encyclopedic in his knowledge
the waves or, yeah, maybe even catching a of Lake Erie, boating and fishing. Panfil is
few walleye. It’s a thrill for them, and just as a licensed skipper, but not a fishing guide
much a major league kick for me.” who charges for his services. He feels it
Join us for a
Financing BAY POINT BOAT SHOW
Options AUGUST 24 & 25
Available
Presented In-the-Water at
Bay Point Marina, 200 Bay Point Blvd.,
Marblehead, OH
Join us at our Boat Show!…
or visit our Showroom…
Showroom open Mon-Fri, 9am–5pm;
Connie Roberts Sat, 9am-3pm; Closed Sunday
of Dublin, Ohio celebrate catching a connect them with a big walleye.
pair of Lake Erie walleye on a Cast It Sending us down the Huron River and
Forward excursion. onto Lake Erie outfitted with special fishing
hats and shirts for the adventure was volun-
teer Trevor Tieche, who had transformed his
is his obligation to take out those who Port Clinton, Ohio gym into the Team VIAC
might never have the chance to enjoy the Training Center, a nonprofit gym focused on
big waters of Lake Erie and help them to helping combat veterans dealing with post
learn about this magical place. traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“This week, I’ve hosted Lunch, drinks and
young cancer patients fishing hats are provid-
and their families, and Panfil is a licensed ed to each person who 9 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] AUGUST 2024
children with Down’s skipper, but not a fishing comes aboard, as well
Syndrome. We’ve had guide who charges for as use of quality fishing
plenty of Boy Scouts. tackle – and free coolers
I encourage military his services. He feels in order to ferry their
veterans to go for a boat it’s his obligation to take catch home.
ride, as well as disabled More than 300 passen-
folks who need a helping out those who might gers now board the Cast
hand,” he said. never have the chance It Forward craft each
Cast It Forward trips year, and all of them
are esoteric – and free to enjoy the big waters will take away their
– adventures on Lake of Lake Erie… own special memories,
Erie, a Great Lake to be thanks to Panfil and his
experienced. support organizatons.
Starting in 2021, Panfil began recruit- “Cast It Forward depends on donations,
ed sponsors and volunteers to be able and we’ve gotten support from all around
to provide the Lake Erie experience, and the region, including generous grants
Panfil made it a moveable feast. His boat from agencies such as the Ottawa County
is substantial enough to handle new “crew Community Foundation (OCCF),” said
members” for each outing, but it also sits Panfil. “The OCCF, which funded this trip,
on a trailer, so Panfil can choose where to thoroughly investigates each grant it hands
launch each trip to make them convenient out, as well as hundreds of college scholar-
for his steady stream of passengers. ships, and we’re honored to be included.”
On a weekday morning late last spring, For more information on booking
U.S. Army veterans Cheryl and Milt Link of a trip with Panfil, or to contribute to
Dublin, Ohio, who have a summer place on Cast It Forward, call 440-221-8013; visit
the Marblehead Peninsula, were our anxious www.castitforwardfishing.com; or email:
anglers. While they were boat savvy, they castitforwardfishing@gmail.com MAB
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