BassBlaster

The Fellas Doing Good

Don’t know if you saw the news about pro anglers who went to the Tulane Hospital for Children yesterday. If not, it’s below. Props to them, and to Randy Howell for starting the whole program.

Personally doesn’t matter to me that these guys are “celebrity anglers,” as it says below. Just matters that they’re bassers who took the time to cheer up kids who need it, as I know many bassers who are not celebrities do. (And if you have to say a person is a celebrity, is he?)
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The patients at Tulane Hospital for Children received a special surprise this Valentine’s Day when they were visited by celebrity anglers Kevin VanDam, Aaron Martens, Brian LaClair, Ryan Said, Shaw Grigsby, Stephen Browning and Edwin Evers. Regarded as among the world’s best bass fishermen, the anglers are in town for the Bassmaster Classic, which is set to begin this Friday on the Louisiana Delta.

During the visit, Bassmaster’s Angel Anglers casted out goodies and reeled in smiles. They also signed autographs, talked to the children about what it is like to be a competitive bass fisherman, and fielded questions from the curious audience.

At one point, all the Angel Anglers squeezed into 14-year-old patient Josh Castille’s room to swap fishing and hunting stories. Castille, a resident of Ville Platte, La., showed the anglers a picture of his most recent trophy buck. The anglers signed a tacklebox, magazine and hat for Castille, who shared a smile in return. The soft-spoken sportsman, grinning from ear to ear, remarked that the visit was “pretty cool.” It was sure to be a day that he won’t soon forget. Castille is planning on hanging the signed Bassmaster Magazine cover in his room once he gets home.

“I know what it can mean to put a smile on these kids’ faces and take their minds off things for a little while,” said professional angler VanDam, who captured his third Bassmaster Classic title in 2010 and is competing in this year’s tournament. “We are fortunate to make a living doing something we love, and it is easy to take things, like good health, for granted. I have twins who were born premature, and I know what places like this do.”

The celebrity visit was a welcome reprieve for the patients who have few opportunities to “just be a kid” while in the hospital. The Angel Anglers program was started in 2004 by Bassmaster Elite Series pro Randy Howell of Springville, Ala., as a way to bring joy and a good time to children and to promote the sport of bass fishing through positive community service.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Alex Voog

    February 15, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    The things they do on the water pales in comparison to events and visits such as these. PROPS!

  2. Bass Pundit

    February 16, 2011 at 6:21 am

    Speaking of celebrity bass fishermen. When is Ike gonna be on dancing with the stars?

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