When life gets rough... go fishing

Casting about

AREA ANGLERS FIND SOLACE ON THE WATER

by Jason Arndt

STAFF WRITER am Veith, with a rod and reel in his hands, finds fishing as a form of therapy and a way to explore nature.

Veith, of Salem, discovers his tranquil moments mostly on the waters of Geneva and Delavan lakes.

“Whenever life gets tough, just being on the water and getting outdoors is my kind of therapy,” said Veith. “It is important for me to get out enjoy nature. Being on the water is just my favorite thing.”

Veith has also ventured out on Eagle Lake in Racine County along with many lakes in Kenosha County, including Silver and Paddock lakes.

Additionally, when visiting his in-laws in Illinois, he typically jumps aboard a boat on the Chain O’Lakes.

“I don’t really discriminate, I will fish up in Eagle Lake in Racine County once in awhile, I will fish in Twin Lakes,” he said.

Sam Veith, of Salem, displays a bass caught during one of his most recent expeditions on an area lake.

“If there is a good opportunity to get out for an hour or two, I just stay really close to home like Silver Lake or Paddock Lake.”

SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES Promoting social distancing

Veith said he has remained within a half hour of his residence because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has prompted health officials to urge people to maintain social distancing.

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a national nonprofit organization with a mission to increase participation in fishing, indicates fishing is an ideal activity because 6-foot social distancing guidelines is already happening.

Stephanie Vatalaro, senior vice president for marketing and communications of the foundation, outlined many reasons fishing is a natural fit for social distancing to the Associated Press.

“You don’t want to be close,” Vatalaro said. “You’re going to tangle your lines, get your equipment mixed up. Fishing is a sport that lends itself to social distancing for sure.”

The Associated Press says the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s website, takemefishing.org, has seen a 15% increase in traffic over the past month.

Its website offers an interactive map showing the status, and any restrictions, in every state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We absolutely believe fishing, if you can do it right now, it’s great for mental health, stress relief, connecting with your family, creating memories, but health and safety is No. 1,” Vatalaro said. “One of the messages we’ll hold onto is maybe find a place you haven’t been to before, maybe close to home so you’re not in the public.”

For Veith, using lakes closer to his home brings benefits such as learning new features of each body of water, while staying safe.

“Right now, with corona, it is just kind of crazy so I am trying to stay within a half hour from my house,” he said. “I am not trying to go too far. It is usually an opportunity to learn these local lakes a little bit better.”

Paul Vollmer, 36, a lifelong Mukwonago resident, has been fishing at nearby waterways since he was a child.

He, like Veith, finds fishing relaxing and often visits the Fox River and Tichigan Lake.

“I enjoy fishing the Fox River and Tichigan Lake because of the multiple species of fish in the lake and it is a great hatchery for fish,” he said, noting he also uses Pewaukee Lake for muskies and big bass.

While Vollmer describes himself as a recreational fisherman, he has participated in some area tournaments, primarily focusing on musky and bass.

“It is relaxing and a fun sport,” Vollmer said.

Vollmer concurred with Vatalaro’s statement about fishing as an activity promoting social distancing.

“I have not made any changes with what’s going on because I always fish out of my boat,” he said. Helping others

Fishing typically allows experienced anglers an opportunity to help others learn

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the sport, according to Veith.

Veith encourages newcomers to ask for help because he and others are always willing to offer suggestions.

“You just have to start asking people around what the basics are. Don’t be afraid to ask for a little help,” he said.

“When somebody is just getting into the sport, it is a great thing for all us to try to help someone catch a fish and see them enjoy the excitement. A lot of times for me, it is better seeing other people catch a fish than me catching a fish myself.”

Veith, 35, a commercial insurance broker, recently decided to share his passion for fishing through a relatively new program called “Fun Fishing Guide Service.”

The fishing guide service, he said, primarily looks to serve veterans and donate fishing trips to help charities with fundraising.

“It is just a part-time thing for me. It is not something I am trying to make a ton of money on. It is just something I am doing to give back to veterans,” he said. “I donate some trips to charities to help them raise money.”

While the service is not listed as a non-profit organization, at least not yet, Veith said it has worked to support many other charities.

The charities, according to its website, include the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation, Northern Illinois Police K-9 Memorial as well as Walleyes Unlimited USA.

“Anything I can do to help,” said Veith, indicating he has seen veterans experience joy during his trips.

“They had such a great time, so that is one of my main focuses, taking veterans out,” he said. “My goal is just to get vets out and donate some trips for charity.”

People can visit his website for more information at www. funfishin.org.

For the latest guidelines, including how to obtain a fishing license, visit the Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr. wi.gov.

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