Another Pay It Forward veterans event is in the books, and it was a good one. This year, 99 participants came to Lake of the Woods for three nights of lodging, two days of fishing, and a few days built entirely around honoring their service.
Pay It Forward isn’t just a fishing trip. It’s a chance for veterans to relax, swap stories, and spend time with people who understand what they’ve been through. Some came with other veteran fishing buddies. Others came alone and left with new friends. That’s the whole point.
The misison of Pay It Forward is to honor, recognize and celebrate all veterans.ย As in past years, this year’s event was magical.ย Organizers and generous resorts and sponsors set the state.ย The magic, we believe, is veterans spending time with other veterans in this setting.
Two Days on the Water
Day one started with a stiff breeze, but that didn’t stop the walleyes from biting. Veterans came back to the dock with coolers full of eaters, plus a few trophy fish mixed in. Most anglers drifted spinners and crawlers, while some charters trolled crankbaits to cover more water.
Day two was calmer. With little wind, charter captains had the whole lake to work with and could chase bigger fish. It paid off. The largest walleye of the two days topped 29 inches, and plenty more came close.
Here’s how the fishing contest wrapped up:
- 1st Place Walleye: Tommy S. โ 29″
- 2nd Place Walleye: Mindy S. โ 28.25″
- 3rd Place Walleye: Jerry K. โ 28″
- Largest Northern Pike: Joe Y. โ 32.5″
And congratulations to Glen, this year’s Cribbage Tournament Champion. Not every win happens on the water.
More Than Fishing
Between charter trips, veterans heard from guest speakers who shared their own stories of coming home from war and working through the challenges that followed. A trauma therapist spoke about mental health resources available to veterans today. Other sessions covered practical topics, like navigating the VA and understanding the DD Form 214.
Several veteran organizations took part this year too, including Fishing For Life, Eagle’s Healing Nest, Warriors Never Give Up, and the Minnesota Elks Veterans Service. Having that many groups in one place gave veterans a chance to connect with resources and people who can support them long after the event ends.
On Camera with Midwest Outdoors TV
Midwest Outdoors TV was back at Pay It Forward this year, filming a segment that will air around Veterans Day in November. This time, the cameras followed the Youngbauer brothers from eastern Wisconsin, four veterans who fished together and pulled in walleye after walleye out on the lake.
Three of the brothers served in the Army. The fourth served in the Air Force, and his brothers like to call him the black sheep of the family for it. Joe Henry of Lake of the Woods Tourism and Greg Jones of Midwest Outdoors hosted the segment, watching the brothers’ friendly ribbing play out as fast as the walleye bite.
Keep an eye out for the episode this November. It’s a great look at what Pay It Forward is really about: brothers, veterans, and a lake full of walleyes.
Made Possible by Generous Resorts and Sponsors
None of this happens without the resorts around Lake of the Woods that donate lodging every year. Borderview Lodge, River Bend Resort, Cyrus Resort, Sean’s Birchview Resort, Zippel Bay Resort, Morris Point Lake View Lodge, and Sportsman’s Lodge all opened their doors to veterans this year, free of charge. That kind of generosity is what makes Pay It Forward possible.
Know a Veteran Who'd Love This?
Pay It Forward is built for veterans who haven’t attended before. If you know someone who served and would enjoy a weekend like this, applications for the 2027 event are open now. Next year’s dates are August 30 through September 2, 2027.
Applications and more details are available at www.PayItForwardLOW.org.
