Gone Fishing

Lavaca County’s longstanding Williams Ranch Warrior Weekend Hunt just opened a new chapter recently when it took its first team of veterans out for the group’s inaugural fishing trip, held April 18-19 at Port O’Connor, where we hear they all slayed their limit, once guides Russell Hofer and Kelly Parks tracked down where the fish were all hiding.

“We couldn’t keep up baiting the lines,” said Don Williams, host of the event.

So, who were the first lucky vets to to wet a hook, Williams Ranch style. Turns out, two were from the Navy, one was from the Army and one from the Air Force, and all four were women.

They included Kristy Jackson a Savannaha Polansky, both U.S. Navy; Mary Roman’s, Army; and JoAnn Reeves, Air Force.

Jackson and Reeves were the day’s big winners, tying at 39.7 pounds caught, while Roman’s and Polansky landed 26.8 pounds.

Not a bad start, Williams noted, but even he didn’t have any idea how prophetic those words might’ve been, for before they all parted ways, his fishing guide friends let them know that only would they be returning for great fellowship, but they were bringing a whole pack of their best buds along as well next year, each one a fishing guide in his own right. It’s enough to more quadruple the event next year, and serve greater and greater numbers of vets. Be on the lookout for news of the coming hunt, barbecue and fundraising auction, taking place in early November, where Williams says he’s already put together several new and unique must sees to raise funds for their nonprofit endeavors.

Although not affiliated with the larger, national Wounded Warrior organization, his relies almost exclusively on kindness and generosity of businesses and residents in and around Lavaca County, barring a few corporate sponsors from around the Houston area.