Wounded Warrior USA - A Great New Beginning!

It was a great day today! As you know Bill Miller and I are working on several projects with the Wounded Warriors. Bill has had several opportunities to attend the wonderful events through the Wounded Warrior USA Program. We had the privilege to join in the ground breaking ceremony about a year ago. As you can see the Wounded Warrior Barracks will serve as an important part to helping our soldiers rehabilitate without having to leave there barracks. The Army built this facility with one thing in mind. To facilitate the soldiers and also being able to rehabilitate all in one facility. This is also right next to the recreation center where we do our Do-it Mold Lure making classes. 

 Today Bill was invited to attend the opening ceremony to see this great facility on Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs.

As you know everyone knows us for our ice fishing trips, open water and our family days. We are really expanding our program right now. Not only on the fishing side, but we have plans to put our efforts in building a chapel and some other buildings that will all play a part in our programs. We want to thank all of you for supporting our programs. Your donations, products and prayers are more than we could ever ask for. Below is a little bit about this great facility along with some pictures.  Enjoy!

On 26 August 2010 the WTB Barracks Groundbreaking Ceremony was held and now 15 months later a new building.  Wounded Warrior USA attended by invitation of  Evans Army Community Hospital and the Warrior Transition Battalion Commanders to witness the Soldier Barracks Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on 7 November 2011 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. 

Major General David Perkins, Commanding General 4^th Infantry Division and Fort Carson provided a Grateful thank you to all Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers those that have given of themselves involving medical treatment and are now in the process of healing.  Talking directly to the WTB Soldiers attending “On behave of a grateful U.S. Army and Nation I Thank you for your sacrifices.  The Army and the Nation will be with you for a life time of assistance”.  Colonel Jammie Keenan, Commander Evans Army Community Hospital thanking the attendees for their involvement with the WTB Soldiers and outreach programs and the introduction of Major General Perkins, Lieutenant Colonel Mechelle Tuttle, Commander Warrior Transition Battalion welcoming the Guest Speakers and all attendees.  Mr. Mort Mortenson, Chairman Mortenson Construction Company identified the construction as a state of the art Energy Efficient construction site that will provide all the necessary building function.  The tour of the new building is impressive and very functional meeting the needs of housing the Soldiers during rehab.  

Giving back to those that have Given is an Honor.

No Pain no Gain

 It was a great year of Races for me. I made my annual visit to my Leadville fifty miler looking for a strong finish but it didn’t happen this year. I was only going to try to run the fifty this year and not ride and run it like last year. I got out with a fast group and made it to the half way point. I started feeling my upper hip flexor tighten up. I decided to stop at the 25 mile mark.Then it really started to hurt worse that I wasnt gonna finish this year. For an Ultra runner a DNF (is the worst thing that can happen)- did not finish is the long term for DNF.
I sat there for five minutes at the aid station and a volunteer came to me and sat beside me." Chuck was his name and he was on eof the top Leadmen. a Leadman has done every event in that year. So this guy has finished the marathon,road the 50 mile bike and run and  then road the 100 mile race and ran it the next weekend. ALong with my doctor who worked on me it is truly amazing in itself. Chuck asked me what he could do to get me back to Leadville and he said he had a knee injury this year and could not race at all. I told him my hip flexor was acting up .. he looked at me with a smile and said hip flexors are over rated. He said take your timing chip off your right ankle and put it on your left ankle.  To make a long story short he had me back on the trail and I ended up at a forty mile final.
It was my first DNF for Leadville.
After another month I found a race in Denver called the Bear Creek 50 mile Trial chase. Piece of cake right?
I trained hard but the hip flexor just didn’t feel right. I figured I would ride my MTN bike 100 miles a week and keep my cardio up..hoping it would slowly heal... followed up with some nice long days of elk hunting I thought I would be good to go. As I have learned from some great finishes in Leadville. You don't muster your way through any Leadville Race along with any distance over fifty.
Race day camefor the Bear  and I was excited.The weather was perfect. The 6:30 start went great. The race was 4 laps 12.5 something miles with some good tough challenges and three water crossings each lap. 2.5 miles into my first lap here came the hip tightness. I figured I would power walk this thing but that plan faded quickly. I was getting passed by some slower groups so it forced me to stay with the group. I managed to do the first lap in 2.5 hours. As always I am always looking at my wrist GPS. I did the math and I was on target for a decent finish. By the time I get to my second lap I had slowed down as I came through the start finish line. To make a long story short the three water crossings were awesome as I sat in one to relieve the inflamed hip flexor. 3.15 for my second lap and that was it. At the finish line I was me by Dr.Hill,(3 time Leadman and had the buckles to show it). This man is one of the most respected Doctors in the Sports Medicine Industry. He felt my pain for not finishing and took a look at me. He instantly had my leg figured out and gave me his card. Wow, I was already feeling better about the day and looking a head to my next big race. I made the arrangement’s  and got my insurance all figured out and made an appointment.

Yesterday I went to see Dr.Hill at CU Sports Medicine. I was met by his to interns who worked on my range of motion to see if everything was good. It took them a while but they finally nailed the problem of the early flair up in my races. After they finished with me Dr.Hill came in and he took a good look at my range of motion and said he wanted to do a scan. I ended up in another room where all three of them started the ultra sound. It took Dr.Hill a second to locate the tendon and muscle that was flared up. There were some small tares in the muscle but not to bad. The only way to fix it was to do a series of injections. I was not very excited but new I was in good hands with DR.Hill. As for the injection, they were trying to get a good entry point for the needle. I have never seen a 5 inch needle nor had one put in me. And of all the places it wasn’t my first choice for the groin. After a little poke with some pain killer they ended up feeding the lager needle into the irritated area. I watched the entire procedure on the Laptop while they did it. To make a long story short it went great. I can’t say enough good things about Dr.Hill and his staff. This guy is not only a good doctor but carries a great personalty and is one of those people who you just trust. My appointment ended with him instructing me on some muscle building and core stuff. He would be in touch with my trainers to get them dialed in a fast rehab. Getting me back on the trail was the goal and DR. Hill’s last words were I will get you running again. With that, I was on my way.

I am excited to start getting this thing dialed in. I am already looking for some snow show races for the winter to really get stronger.  All in all, just another day in the Ultra Runners world. I will keep everyone posted on my rehab. I included some cool pictures of the equipment he used. I left the needles with him :)

I included a video of the basics of the procedure.

My injection was higher. Feeling better and back to the gym to get strong!!!!!

Wounded Warrior USA Family Day

Palmer Lake, Colorado

Wounded Warrior Family Day



The Wounded Transition Unit WTU from the Army Post at Fort Carson participated in a Family Day on June 18, 2011.  Sponsored by Wounded Warrior USA at the family friendly Palmer Lake in Palmer Lake, Colorado. The Banner donated by RockyMountain Coors Distributing made it easy for all the families to find us .It wasn’t long before all of the families showed up and were greeted by Bill Miller and Dave Bryant from Wounded Warrior USA.

Some of the moms made a stop by the Mary Kay 

tent and got their feet and hands taken care of. A great mix of lotions and some kind loving care from our staff did the trick. Vanessa McClearn, Sales Director with Mary Kay volunteered her time and products to pamper the ladies, according to them it was refreshing. 


The families stopped by to pick up rods, reels, bait and portable chairs. The Starbucks Coffee and sweet rolls did not last long as always a great combination for a fishing trip.
Fishing was very good and the children were excited about catching a variety of fish.  Everyone could hear the cheerful reactions of the children as they made there fish hookups. 


 Thanks to the Colorado Division of Wildlife that made a sizable drop of assorted fish during the week.  As the morning progressed the kids would come to the pavilion to pickup a cookie and drink to prepare for lunch, didn’t want to eat there lunch on an empty stomach.   All of our volunteer helpers cooked and served lunch and helped clean up after 44 attendees; WTU Soldiers, families 34 and volunteers 10.  Lunch was served with hamburgers and assorted cheese, tomatoes and lettuce, hot dogs, potato salad, potato chips, drinks, pie and a candy bar.  They also finished off the cookies. Village Inn Restaurant donated the four pies for lunch that just disappeared. 
To all of you that support these great companies below we thank you and look forward to our next trip.
Thank you volunteers and sponsors for your patriotism and contribution in making the WTU Soldiers and families fishing day away from Fort Carson a memorable one. 


Special thanks to Rocky Mountain Coors Distribution, Clam Corp, Lindy Tackle, Village Inn, St. Croix, Aurora Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Lehrer Fire Place and Patio, Strike Master Augers and our great friends at Do-it molds!
We thank all of you for supporting these companies who help our programs and support our troops and families Nation wide.


Enjoy some pictures from this great day!!!!

A Great Family Adventure

Here is a great story by my partner Bill Miller. Bill was contacted by this family.

As you read on you will see how important the wounded Warrior Program is to

the community. Through our Outreach programs (Lure Making, TV Show, Family one on ones, group trips.) It is great to see this family enjoy the day.

Enjoy Bills story as we are working with more families for future trips.

I also included a very touching thank you letter from Alex.  Bill and I thank all of

Our sponsors and great supporters.

The call for ice fishing…The phone rang, is there still ice for ice fishing?  If so can you take my son Andrew ice fishing?  The caller, Lisa a mother of two trying to find a fishing guide service in Colorado to take her 13-year-old son ice fishing.  She said that would satisfy his quest for catching a fish through the ice.  His father a Special Forces Soldier is out of the U.S.A. and in the war zone will not be home until sometime in late 2011 missing the winter ice fishing season.  Lake Ice USA has a perfect first timer lake located at Lower Lake Ranch, Pine, Colorado.  The schedule was set meet in Conifer for early breakfast and pre-meeting at Wendy’s.  Talking with Andrew he quickly identified himself as a knowledgeable fisherman, training his father taught him except for one category ice fishing.   

We caravanned to Lower Lake Ranch and moved on to the lake to start drilling ice.  Andrew large smile came about when I asked him if he wanted to operate the auger.  Experience one the feeling achievement drilling through 30 inches of ice.  Scoop out the ice bait the small Lindy trout jig with a minnow, set the depth of the line and place the bobber in the 10-inch hole.  His mother and sister were next to begin the experience.  Lisa lowered her reel line and jig below the ice and was immediately hooked with the first fish a nice 17-inch rainbow.  The family excitement was set for the morning.  Then sister caught a 14-inch rainbow.  Andrew was excited for them, but why not my prime hole?  Then his patients paid off, got one he yelled out with a big grin from ear to ear, a nice 17-inch rainbow.  He handled the fish like a professional, released it and went right back down the hole.  Lisa feeling a little cold went to the SUV and returned with her home made hot chocolate for everyone.  What a treat.

As time was drawing to an end and some nice rainbows, one brown trout and some cutthroats Andrew was looking for the one last big fish.  Lisa said time to go as the wind was starting to cool the air, Mom just 5-more minutes.  OK, just 5-minutes.  Andrew was hovering over the 10-inch hole, as if talking to any big fish that heard his mental plea, “Get on that hook fish!”  Andrew learned the Vexilar that morning and was watching the flasher, “look the red marks”, is indicating a fish.  Then he pulled the bait up to the mark as he was taught, set the hook and WHAM the battle was on.  About 10-minuts later and following the ice catching rules he landed a 20-inch brown trout.  The biggest fish that I have ever caught, WOW I am excited.  Thanks for the experience and instructions.  He gladly packed-up and left the ice.  Oh, by the way his mother and sister now want to do more ice fishing.  There is something about fishing uniting the family with shared fun.  Pictures and a video followed the outing. 

Wounded Warrior Trip- Antero Reservoir

Antero Reservoir -

March 17th,2011

Wounded Warrior USA

Hartsel Colorado, located in the middle of the Rocky Mountains is home to Antero Reservoir.
Antero Reservoir is home to the fresh water shrimp that is in massive quantities supplying food for the trout population. Four to Five ponders are no problem for this lake to produce.

Our day began at the boat ramp where we met the five soldiers from Fort Carson at 6:30 .The guys were very excited as they arrived right on schedule for a late season bite. The group ventured out about 100 ft along the rocky shoreline where we found a bunch of Four to Six Pound Rainbow Trout. The day could not have been better. The guys all received bran new Ice Armor gloves and Mitts from Clam Corporation. It was a windy morning and the soldiers were hammerin nice trout left and right. The fish were full of eggs as the soldiers released them carefully back to lay their eggs. The Automatic Fisherman did the job as we loaded the tips ,and let the Lindy Genz Worms do their thing. The calm morning did not last long as the wind did pick up. Snap!!! the Automatics Hammerd -em , even with the wind and they guys chased their dead sticks on the 8 inches of ice. After about an hour of the Automatic Fisherman making their mark we decided to start jigging. Each soldier got dialed in on the Vexilar and the game was on.
Talk about fun these guys were really enjoying their new ice fishing buddy - FL8.
By 10:00 am we had landed 30 - something nice trout. The guys were not showing any king of
fatigue. A few snow balls did fly but not for long as the Antero Trout wanted to keep the guys busy. As I learned from previous ice fishing trips, don’t ever start a snow ball fight with soldiers because they will win every time. Our snow ball fights were always fun and sometimes lasted for a half hour. It always seems to bring the group together and share some fun.Today, the fish interrupted us and that was just fine as the guys did not miss a beat with a hook set.
The Lindy Genz Worms put the Hammer on these fish as we often say, this presentation is a no brain-er. One of our soldiers made some great jigs in our lure making class and his secret weapon was pounding big trout. Jerry from Do-it Molds has made our Lure making program a complete success. When it comes right down to it I tell everyone that the products we get for our programs are great, but working with great people is what it is all about.

The day ended at 2:00 Pm as we were all wore out. We got the soldiers back on the van and headed back to Denver. Today was a day to remember as we ended up releasing over 60 fish and made some new ice fishing friends. The hand shakes at the beginning of the day ended with big hugs and smiles.

A Day with Fox 31 Jennifer Broome

A perfect day of weather was forcasted by our favorite weather man. The Fox 31 crew from Denver was on thier way to Monument Colorado. Home of Monument Lake this town is well known for it's strong support of the military and home of Wounded Warrior USA.
The day was set and Jennifer Broome was on her way to try some ice fishing. Arrivng at the Lake at 11:00 sharp started the early lunch bite or late morning bite for the advid ice angler.
It didnt take long and the fish were doing thier thing. The Lindy Genz Worms tipped with minows did it again.
The day ended with a great story and a new friend as we headed out and off the 8 inches of ice.

http://www.lakeiceusa.com/media.html

Spring Medows Ranch - Pike Haven

Gordon Nebraska

The xtreme cold temperatures did't stop us from hammer-in 100 Northern Pike in 2 and a half days.
Sunday mornig we pulled out of Parker Colorado on snow packed roads with high winds it did not look good for our upcoming trip.
With Gordon Nebraska in our sites the 360 mile venture improved as we hit dry roads in Fort Morgan.
By the time we hit Spring Meadows Ranch we encountered some 20 mile an hour winds and we were excited to get started on our qwest for giant Northern Pike.
Justin Simmons greeted us and pointed us to the east end of the lake. We set our Automatic Fisherman and tips ups and played the wait game.
thirty minutes into the trip we had released two nice six pounders. Justin had mentioned that the jig bite was happening so we shifted over to the Lindy Darters and the game began. We ended up with fifteen fish before our first half day of fishing ended.

Day Two began with some calm over cast skies. We started fishing the north east side of the lake right along the rushes and pockets of open weeds. It didn't take long and the flags were flying. Bill Miller and Dale Hyiat had landed fifteen fish in the first hour. Most of the fish were very small. We changed our plan of attack and went with big spoons on our tip ups. The bigger the presentation we presented the larger fish we caught. Bill Miller did some shallow water jigging with the largest of the Perch Lindy Darters. By the end of the day he had landed 7 giant females.
The other thing we realized is none of us ever saw a Perch. Justin claims they are in there as there have been a few showing up in the bellies of the big females.
This is a great trip to do. The drive from Denver is worth it as we will be making another trip to our favortie Pike place at Spring Meadows.