Fishin' with First-Timers

[silverdalesauer]

Very nice Dale! Your ministry is incredible!

Thanks. But my name isn't Dale.

It is now!

I was thinking about that after I posted it. Don't know where the name came from.

Haha. I'll allow it just for you.

[silverdalesauer]

Just another epic day of taking a local pastor and his youngest son out on the water. We were on a specific hunt today to find Pastor Steve's son his PB (Personal Best) bass. At around 9am, we found it and it found it's way onto a well-placed wacky rigged Senko.

Pastors and their families are people too, ya know. They have dreams and desires just like everyone else. The thing is, often times they're so busy taking care of other people, they sacrifice the time that they could give to their spouses or kids.
That's why I do what I do with the Paraclete Mission Group. I'm coming alongside ministry leaders every day to help them thrive in both professional ministry and personal life.

If you'd like to learn more, please contact me. I'd be glad to connect. And if you'd like to sponsor a 1-Day Restoration Retreat to take a pastor or ministry leader fishing, I know a guy.

To make a tax-deductible donation or to give fishing gear - send me a PM.

[silverdalesauer]

Today, I was grateful for the donors on the Hunting-Washington forum who have donated tackle boxes, rods, reels, and terminal tackle. I gave a ton of it away to a dad and his son who had never fished a day in either of their lives.

The dad shared, "I've been looking forward to this day my whole life. My father never took me fishing - he was usually too busy or out of it completely so I never got the chance to learn this kind of activity. And now, I'm doing something I've always dreamed of... and better yet, I'm learning it with my son, who's never fished before either!"

We went after panfish today, setting our sights on perch, bluegills, sunfish, and so on. We caught a lot, kept a few, and threw back most. We hooked into a few bass too, but they went right back in. I plan on taking the pair back out next month for some trout action, then salmon and crab. Who knows, maybe one day they'll be teaching other dads and sons how to fish.

If you've enjoyed this thread, please comment on it and consider donating some fishing gear. I'm beginning to run out of tackle.

[silverdalesauer]

It's been a busy summer. I've not had a lot of time to post up reports on this thread, so here's a recent one.

I had the pleasure of taking out Sam & his 13 year old son today. Sam's family is new to the PNW and wanted to learn how to fish the region for salmon. He listened and asked a lot of great questions - regarding everything from launching boats, using a downrigger, how to read the tide charts, what bait or spoons to use, and so much more.

He and his son were great listeners and humble. They allowed us to teach them for 4-5 hours and in the end, reeled in their first cohos and chinook. The chinook was wild, but a real treat for the 13 year old who did a standup job reeling it in and sending it on it's way back.

This is why I do what I do. Fathers and sons need these types of experiences today.

At the end of our time, I donated two salmon rods and reels to the pair along with the fresh caught fish that they'd brought in. They're stoked to get out on their own.

If anyone here has any saltwater gear you'd like to donate to my cause, please send me a PM. I need rods, reels, reels with line counters, line, flashers, terminal tackle, spoons, catch coolers, and more.

Thanks!

[silverdalesauer]

It's been a busy, busy summer everyone. Wow. Thanks to all who've donated funding or fishing gear to allow me to take pastors and their families out fishing this summer!

In this post, I'm highlighting a ministry leader that I took out last year for his first time fishing with his kids. Last year, my son and I introduced them to panfishing. It was a hit.

This summer, the 10 year old son wanted to fish for bass or trout. And the teenage daughter wanted to try salmon fishing. (Neither had ever caught these type of fish and dad doesn't have access to a boat)

So, this Monday, I had the joy of taking father & son out for bass. We struggled to land many, but the dad was just tickled to be out on the water with his boy. And the son was over-the-top thrilled when he landed his first bass. Check that off the bucket list.

Then, on Wednesday, we switched gears and hosted the dad and his teenage daughter for salmon. What a surprise when she hooked into a dandy hatchery King salmon that ran out 200' of line. By the time she reeled it to the boat, she AND the fish were tired. This was her first time salmon fishing, but it won't be her last... dad loved it and wants to take her out more often. I was grateful to be able to pay for his & her licenses, hand them some skills, teach them some tips, and give him a couple of salmon rods to take home!

I love this part of my work - serving those who serve others.

The summer is almost over. I've got more stories to tell. More photos to share. And more ministry leaders that want to fish. If you know of a pastor that likes to hunt or fish, send me their contact info and introduce me. I'd love to help them get rested and refreshed.   

[Angry Perch]

That's good stuff man. 

[huntnfmly]

Very cool

[HntnFsh]

So awesome! Thank you!

[silverdalesauer]

This West Sound Youth for Christ Director, went out last Friday and enjoyed catching is first ever Chinook. He was more than thrilled... and he may have long armed it a bit too much, but hey, that's what you do with your first 8lb King! 

Also, pictured below, this ministry couple had the opportunity to get out for an evening sunset fishing and sightseeing trip. The wife was the one who wanted the opportunity to fish - as her husband has gone out with me already this year. So, we spent the evening enjoying the sunset while mooching for salmon. We were successful with one keeper coho.

Such a fun summer for these ministry families.

[silverdalesauer]

Thought I'd give another quick update to this thread.

Last summer, I took two pastors (all expenses paid) trip to Alaska. Yep, Alaska. I was able to host these 2 pastors because of financial partners like those on this forum that have donated to the work I do and because of the partnership I have with another ministry that is working with me, called "Refreshed Soul" - check out their website - www.refreshedsoul.org and send your pastor on an Epic Retreat.

This trip allowed 2 "First Timers" find peace, rest, and joy in an Epic Retreat where we fished for salmon, ling cod, and halibut. Let's just say that if pictures tell a thousand words these guys spoke millions of words through their smiles.

Mike - from North Dakota was absolutely impacted by this trip. He's a new man today because of it.  When he first came on the trip, he had just thrown in the towel - he was done. Today, he's helping other pastors and leaders get refreshed, like he was.

Dane - from New Mexico found Alaska to be a place of refreshing that he had no idea he needed. After 5 days away together, he realized just how weary and tired he had grown from his work.

Thanks to all of you, who, through the years, have partnered with me to help pastors and ministry leaders find rest and refreshment in the outdoors.

I'll be posting a 2023 thread shortly. Hope you'll read it and get involved.

PS - If you are a pastor or ministry leader or you know of one who could use a rest, reach out to my friends at Refreshed Soul and inquire about one of their Epic Retreats today. Go to: www.refreshedsoul.org

[GWP]

Nice job!

[silverdalesauer]

It's been a busy, busy 2023 everyone. Wow. Thanks to all who've donated funding or fishing gear to allow me to take pastors and their families out fishing this year!

In this post, I'm highlighting 3 pastors that I took to Sitka, Alaska with a ministry partner that I work with called Refreshed Soul. Folks, this is what dreams are made of for a pastor who can't afford the thousands of dollars it takes to go on a trip like this. 75% of these trips are underwritten and the remaining cost are provided by donors who want to invest in pastors!

On this trip, these 3 Pacific Northwest pastors had the chance to enjoy a 5-day getaway to a luxurious retreat, amazing meals, high quality rooms, and 3-days of fishing for salmon, halibut, ling cod, and sea bass.

If you'd like to send your pastor or a ministry leader on a retreat like this, go to www.refreshedsoul.org to inquire.

[silverdalesauer]

More pictures from Sitka.

[silverdalesauer]

Here's another fishing trip where I was blessed to give a teenage pastor's son his very own rod & reel combo (Lamiglas & Okuma) for saltwater fishing. As well, I was able to donate a couple tackle boxes of gear, bait, terminal tackle, and more so that he could fish on his own.

The next day he texted me a picture of his first salmon he'd caught on his own. He was stoked to say the least.

Thank You, Donors!

Pictures below.

[storyteller]

Thanks for putting  up the pictures, nice to see what  you have been up to.