Each year, 50 million Americans, including 10 million youth, go fishing to experience the beauty of the great outdoors, the serenity of being near the water and the thrill of the catch. Fishing offers a lot of flexibility too. You can enjoy the peace of fishing alone or join friends and family for a fun and social time together. You can go out for a few hours to catch dinner or spend an entire day or more relaxing and enjoying freedom away from the stress of the daily grind. Whether you live near a river, lake or ocean, adaptive fishing has never been more available, regardless of disability, thanks to adaptive fishing equipment, Move United Member Organizations, and other organizations ready to teach you how.

By Land or By Water?

For people with limited mobility who want to head out onto the water, one of the first challenges is finding the appropriate vessel to go on. If a wheelchair-user is able to transfer to a boat, he or she can sit in a regular seat, with or without a lap belt for support. And many of the newer boats have fairly flat front decks that may help with the transition from pier to boat. Pontoon boats work well as the allow the use of the wheelchair while on the water. Getting a wheelchair onto a pontoon boat is quite easy. Most resorts, disabled fishing events, and professional guide services have pontoon boats available.

For those who don’t have ready access to a boat or just want to head out for a few hours of fishing, a public access pier may provide the answer. Optimally, piers should be 8’ wide – wide enough to allow a wheelchair user to stop and maneuver safely. Most state governments have Web sites that list outdoor resources, including public access piers. Check your state government’s Web pages.

Special focus: Fly Fishing

If enjoying the peace and serenity of the outdoors is your goal but you are after a bigger challenge, then you should try fly fishing. Fly fishing can be done from a boat, by wading into the water or safely from the dock.

With fly-fishing, artificial flies are cast with a fly rod and fly line. It’s more challenging than regular fishing, but many fishers find it more rewarding. Practice is necessary before a fisher masters the art of fly-fishing, including what type of fly to use, how and where to place it in the water, and overhead casting as the fishing line is specially weighted, yet the fly itself is nearly weightless.

While fly-fishing offers fun and enjoyment to people of all abilities, for injured combat veterans, fly-fishing has proven to be especially beneficial. “The sport of fly-fishing has many positive physical, mental and emotional therapeutic benefits. Enabling disabled veterans to fly fish, tie flies and spend time together learning how to do it builds camaraderie. Over time they become their own support group,” said David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters, a national leader in providing fly-fishing and associated activities specifically for disabled veterans. Folkerts is a medically retired U.S. Army Captain who was injured by an IED while serving in Iraq in 2005.

Adaptive fishing equipment makes it possible for people of all abilities to fish. Many equipment adaptations exist, including:

Fishing rod mounts, harnesses and holders: All types of rod holders exist from ones that fasten to a boat or wheelchair, strap to the user’s chest or forearm, or which the user sits on – to hold the rod comfortably for those who have limited or no use of their hands. The clamp on fishing pole holder keeps a good grip on the pole while it makes the reel available for one-handed operation. For instance, The Strong Arm is a versatile fishing rod holder that straps to the user’s arm, making it suitable for anyone with limited or no grip. And, while many commercial types of rod holders exist, some pvc pipe and a bit of ingenuity may be all you need to hold the rod steady. There are also numerous reels available to make casting and reeling in accessible to everyone.

Electric fishing reels: People with limited or no hand function can cast and reel catches in with the touch of a button. These reels typically have power units with batteries that last for hours. Companies such as Elec-Tra-Mate (www.elec-tra-mate.com) have a variety of electric reels that are designed to reel in even the biggest catch at the touch of a button. Options also include a remote push-button or remote joystick operation for high-level quadriplegics. Some reels, such as Van’s Easy Cast, can even cast for you.

Knot tyers: For one-handed fishers, knot tyers can thread hooks, tie knots, and cut lines.

Click here for equipment options.

To Learn More

National Adaptive Fishing Organization- Fishing Has No Boundaries

National Adaptive Fly Fishing Organization- Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing

Click here to find a location near you.