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Outdoors
Outdoors
IRON RIVER — It was kind acts that facilitated a fishing adventure for U.S. Army veteran Chuck Daniels. Monies were generated through Kind-906, Inc.
Kind-906 came to be on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Kindness is contagious” is the motto of the nonprofit spearheaded by Nick Lundin of Scott’s Subs in Iron River.
The first annual “Fishing with a Vet” came together with the help of Steve Labs of Truly Wild Guide Service out of Green Bay, Wisconsin who is also a friend of Lundin’s.
“The people of Iron River jumped on board,” said Lundin, “and paid for the trip.”
Labs donated his guiding skills and brought the fishing gear needed for a successful outing, including the latest electronics to help find some of the area’s best walleye.
It was a June 26 and disabled Vietnam veteran Chuck Daniels was going fishing on the Michigamme Reservoir by Crystal Falls.
“I was fishing about 3 or 4 years ago,” said Daniels. “It was with the VA and we went out on Lake Superior.”
This time it would be in a Ranger 621 that was trailered to Iron County by Captain Steve. The crewman, Nick Lundin, was on deck, and fisherman Daniels was ready to land some fish.
The group spent about 4-6 hours on the water. They caught walleye, northern pike, crappies and some rock bass.
The big catch of the day was a blue walleye.
“I’d never heard of a blue walleye,” said Daniels. “It was undersized so I couldn’t keep it. Even if it wouldn’t have been, I’d have thrown it back because it should be preserved because they said it’s rare.”
Daniels was in the U.S. Army for three years from June of 1967 to June of 1970. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal. He is originally from Ovid, about 30 miles northeast of Lansing. He moved back to Michigan in in November of 2016 and lives in Iron River. He met Lundin while visiting Scott’s Subs for breakfasts and was asked if he’d like to go fishing.
“I enjoyed it (fishing) a lot. It felt good getting out and I hope to get to do it more,” said Daniels. “It was nice of them to do this for me and I thank God every day for everything He’s done.”