As founder of Tight Lines for Vets, I too am a combat veteran that has made fishing my lifelong pursuit. Fishing has always been a therapeutic experience for me, but even more so after completing 3 combat tours. The calm and relaxation one can experience while on the water can do wonders for the soul. Fishing will not erase the tough situations we have faced, however, it can allow you to reflect on those situations in a calming environment; or it can make you so focused on the mission of catching the next fish, that those situations do not have time to enter the mind. Personally, the way I feel internally when remembering certain events while driving, working, or sitting at home, is more stressful for me than when I think about those same situations while on the water. I wholeheartedly feel more of our veterans can benefit greatly from spending more time on the water.

That is what helped bring this event to life; our family’s love for the military and fishing. We decided to personally secure the boat and utilize any donations we receive to help assist us in meeting our three main objectives.

Primary objective- $1500

These funds will cover the cost of the tip for the crew on board the vessel as well as breakfast and lunch for the participants. Also will go towards the cost of the t-shirts that will be provided.

Secondary Objective 1- $3400

These funds will cover the primary objective while also putting a deposit down on the vessel for the next trip.

Secondary Objective 2- $10,000

These funds will be put to the above-mentioned objectives with the remaining to be used to select 4 combat vets and provide them with an all-expense-paid trip to a veterans retreat.

Combat veterans who participate in the trip not only enjoy a free fishing trip but they will also be provided with rods/reels to use, all the bait they could need, breakfast on the way out as well as lunch and drinks. They will receive a personalized T-shirt and there will be a cash prize for the biggest fish. There will also be a raffle that participants will be entered in to win prizes such as a new rod and reel combo! At the conclusion of the trip, we will extend the offer to have all the veterans and their immediate families join us back at our house for a fish fry/clam bake, and a campfire to end the evening.

To enter, simply Facebook message @tightlinesforvets or email your name, contact info, and branch of service to TightLinesforVets@gmail.com

To donate, simply follow the link. We understand not everybody can donate, but at a minimum, please share so we can reach as many vets as possible. If you are local to south county RI, we will also have donation and entry slip boxes set up at Quonny Bait and tackle, as well as, Weekapaug bait and tackle.

Find us on Facebook @tightlinesforvets

If you feel inclined to donate to our cause, please click here.

Thank you and tight lines!