Jeremy walsh
Patriot Anglers Veteran Service Award
This award endeavors to appreciate and celebrate the work in which a Patriot Angler has selflessly contributed to the Veteran community. The awardee has made positive, life changing differences in the lives of Veterans. Allowing the Patriot Anglers to successfully meet its mission of strengthening bonds and uplifting U.S. military families past and present, by providing a unique Rocky Mountain fishing experience.
Jeremy’s dedication and volunteer service with the Patriot Anglers has been instrumental in defining the organization and bettering the lives of Colorado’s Veterans. Jeremy is a family man and combat Veteran from Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 and Operation Joint Forge (Balkans). He has continued his service to his community by assisting in the building of the Patriot Anglers. Jeremy has been with the organization since day one, helping to plan and lead the first expedition in January of 2013. Jeremy was the first Chief Operations Officer in which he coordinated over 120 expeditions and events which allowed hundreds of Veterans to receive the benefit of fishing in the Rocky Mountains with the Patriot Anglers. Jeremy has volunteered on a majority the Patriot Anglers Expeditions working with Veterans and their family’s one on one teaching the sport of fishing, while being a mentor to those in need. Jeremy’s service has and still is making a positive difference in the lives of Veterans and his own family through his service. Jeremy continues to volunteer as a Patriot Anglers Expedition Captain and Board of Directors Member.
Burt and Joni Franklin
PATRIOT ANGLERS VETERAN SERVICE AWARD
This award endeavors to appreciate and celebrate the work in which a Patriot Angler has selflessly contributed to the Veteran community. The awardee has made positive, life changing differences in the lives of Veterans. Allowing the Patriot Anglers to successfully meet its mission of strengthening bonds and uplifting U.S. military families past and present, by providing a unique Rocky Mountain fishing experience.
Burt Franklin, a Vietnam Combat Veteran, found the Patriot Anglers in its first year at Vets on Ice. After a successful outing and a cold wet foot from stepping in a fishing hole, Burt was hooked. Burt then brought Joni, his wife, to the Patriot Anglers, where together they began volunteering to help teach fishing. Now, three and a half years later, Burt and Joni have helped to teach fishing to over 100 participants, many of whom are the children of Military and Veteran Families. Whether on the frozen waters of Willow Creek, on the pontoons of Lake Granby, or on the shores of the Colorado River, Burt and Joni have been there to teach and bond with the Military families the Patriot Anglers Serve. Without this fabulous fishing duo who understand the plight of the Veteran and their family, the Patriot Anglers would not be the organization it is today.
JIM NEEDLER
2016 VETERAN ANGLER OF THE YEAR
This award endeavors to celebrate an angler who is a U.S. Military Veteran and avid angler. This angler embodies how fishing can be a healthy and a positive way of life for Veterans as well as their families. The awardee is an ambassador to the sport, assisting fellow anglers in perfecting their craft, as well as at the peak of angling, catching many of Colorado’s species utilizing various techniques.
Fishing had always been just a hobby to Jim, prior to and during his military service. During Jim’s time in the Marines he was introduced to saltwater fishing. While serving in the Army, he was exposed to fly fishing. Because fishing was just a hobby, he was lucky to get out once a month. However, after being wounded in Afghanistan in 2013, fishing took on a more therapeutic role in his life. After many therapists and countless medications, only one thing has worked to calm Jim’s nerves, fishing. When Jim is on the water his mind is completely at ease. Fishing has done for Jim what no medication or therapist ever could, put him at peace.
Sam Heckman
2016 ANGLER OF THE YEAR
This award endeavors to appreciate and celebrate the work in which an angler has selflessly contributed to the community in Colorado, becoming a champion to the sport of fishing. The awardee has made positive, life changing differences in the lives of their community through mentorship, outdoor education, or the conservation of Colorado’s fisheries. The awardee has not only become a ambassador to the sport of fishing, but has also mastered their craft of fishing in Colorado, catching many species using many different methods.
Sam started tournament bass fishing in 1989 where won Rookie of the Year and the Pikes Peak Bassmasters Classic. This was the start of his obsession, and since then Sam has been a part of at least a dozen state teams between BASS and FLW/TBF here in Colorado. His most memorable moments are qualifying for three TBF National Championships and placing 2nd overall in 2015 and 10th overall in 2016. Sam also qualified for the BFL All American tournament and was the first to do so from Colorado last year. Sam is heavily involved in youth fishing, attending as many youth events as possible. His youth club is his biggest source of pride. The Fountain Valley Junior Bass Club is the FLW/TBF side of youth bass fishing. They are also recognized by the SAF (student angler federation) at the high school level, allowing any high school kids who have the passion for competitive bass fishing the opportunity to do so through Sam’s club. They have had two Western division champions and one SAF regional championship team who went on to the National Championship in 2015. Sam’s club has had several TBF youth National qualifiers through the Fountain Valley Junior Bass Club.
alpine fishing adventures - randy ford
2016 Fishing enterprise OF THE YEAR
This award endeavors to appreciate and celebrate the work in which a fishing organization or business in Colorado has become a consummate professional organization, an ambassador to the sport, and has selflessly contributed to the community in Colorado. The awardee has made positive, life changing differences in the lives of their community through mentorship, outdoor education, or the conservation of Colorado’s fisheries.
Alpine Fishing Adventures based out of Frisco, Colorado on Lake Dillon opened for business in 2014. They have not looked back since. Founded and run by Randy Ford, the business has strived to be the best in central Colorado, putting customers and Veterans on big browns, rainbows, and arctic char through the ice, on the boat, or in the river with a fly. At their own expense, Alpine Fishing adventures has provided group expeditions for the Patriot Anglers and for solo Veterans and their families teaching the art of fishing Lake Dillon. Randy, educated for the fishing industry, but working in the steel industry, made a change in life starting Alpine Fishing Adventures in 2014. Since the move, Randy and his crew have reshaped central Colorado fishing as an outstanding guide service/outfitter, peer, and mentor to many anglers right in the middle of Colorado’s ski industry. Alpine Fishing Adventures, Trip Advisor, Google, Facebook, and Youtube reviews are all a testament to the great things that are happening with this organization.