A Word From Casey
I grew up in Northeast Washington playing, hunting and fishing on the shores and surrounding mountains of Lake Roosevelt. I have fished and hunted with a good percentage of the members in this community. Others may know me know me through sports or my family. They were behind me before, during and after my injury.
I had a diving accident while swimming in Lake Roosevelt on May 16, 2008. My recovery was a challenge, with many bumps along the way. While I am paralyzed from the collarbone down, I am learning lots of new ways of doing things...like using the computer and hunting. I will fish again!
This has been an amazing time for me. I am a college student pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology. Being in small town has its advantages, and led me to a part-time position working for the Forest Service this summer. It is a great opportunity to work in the field of my dreams.
Life isn’t all about work though. Every spare minute I have is spent in the woods, studying whatever game is in season so that I can get it in my crosshairs. Doing so has allowed me to bag a whitetail buck, nice tom turkey and several different varmints. Hunting has also allowed me to spend a lot of quality time with close friends and family. These connections made it possible to bag a bobcat.
Hunting isn’t my only pleasure…I nearly traveled the world or at least 3000 miles this summer. I had my annual checkup in Denver at Craig Hospital. There is was able to learn about the latest advances in technology and get an excellent report on my health from the doctors and therapists. I had many fun stops along the way including Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Glacier and my other favorite small town, Ennis, Montana. Our family had their annual Pierre Lake visit for two weeks at the cabin, followed by a camping trip at Browns Lake.
If you remember, the entire time I was in the hospital I received amazing support from my hometown friends and family. There were several benefits arranged to raise money for me, including bribery softball, auctions, music festivals, several unselfish citizens made donations that I will never know about, and the local fishermen really stepped up to the plate going above and beyond anything imaginable. The walleye club made donations, and other fishermen started the Balls and Chain Walleye Tournament.
The support and donations I received was overwhelming, and I knew I could never begin to pay people back for all they had done. That's where the Balls and Chain Tournament comes into play. I plan to “Pay it Forward” by using the money to help an organized group, family or individual in need just like I was. I figure this is the least I can do.
The funds from the Balls and Chain Walleye Tournament have helped many individuals and families face the challenges in their lives. Thank you to the Balls and Chain Walleye Tournament sponsors, participants and committee for making these peoples lives a little bit better.
I would appreciate your support by fishing in our Balls and Chain Tournament. Thank you!
Pay it forward,
Casey McKern
I had a diving accident while swimming in Lake Roosevelt on May 16, 2008. My recovery was a challenge, with many bumps along the way. While I am paralyzed from the collarbone down, I am learning lots of new ways of doing things...like using the computer and hunting. I will fish again!
This has been an amazing time for me. I am a college student pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology. Being in small town has its advantages, and led me to a part-time position working for the Forest Service this summer. It is a great opportunity to work in the field of my dreams.
Life isn’t all about work though. Every spare minute I have is spent in the woods, studying whatever game is in season so that I can get it in my crosshairs. Doing so has allowed me to bag a whitetail buck, nice tom turkey and several different varmints. Hunting has also allowed me to spend a lot of quality time with close friends and family. These connections made it possible to bag a bobcat.
Hunting isn’t my only pleasure…I nearly traveled the world or at least 3000 miles this summer. I had my annual checkup in Denver at Craig Hospital. There is was able to learn about the latest advances in technology and get an excellent report on my health from the doctors and therapists. I had many fun stops along the way including Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Glacier and my other favorite small town, Ennis, Montana. Our family had their annual Pierre Lake visit for two weeks at the cabin, followed by a camping trip at Browns Lake.
If you remember, the entire time I was in the hospital I received amazing support from my hometown friends and family. There were several benefits arranged to raise money for me, including bribery softball, auctions, music festivals, several unselfish citizens made donations that I will never know about, and the local fishermen really stepped up to the plate going above and beyond anything imaginable. The walleye club made donations, and other fishermen started the Balls and Chain Walleye Tournament.
The support and donations I received was overwhelming, and I knew I could never begin to pay people back for all they had done. That's where the Balls and Chain Tournament comes into play. I plan to “Pay it Forward” by using the money to help an organized group, family or individual in need just like I was. I figure this is the least I can do.
The funds from the Balls and Chain Walleye Tournament have helped many individuals and families face the challenges in their lives. Thank you to the Balls and Chain Walleye Tournament sponsors, participants and committee for making these peoples lives a little bit better.
I would appreciate your support by fishing in our Balls and Chain Tournament. Thank you!
Pay it forward,
Casey McKern
