Interview with Jim Dolan - Part 2

Jim Dolan is a Kayak Angler.  He has been part of the rapidly growing sport and has used kayak fishing to help individuals that are close to his heart.  Jim is one of the founders of Heroes on theWater; an organization that does great things with our nations wounded, injured, and disabled military personnel.  Here is Part 2 of my interview with Mr. Dolan (to view Part 1: Interview with Jim Dolan - Part 1):

PK:         You are a founder of Heroes on theWater; an organization that does great things with our nations wounded, injured, and disabled military personnel.  Briefly would you describe to everyone who is unfamiliar with Heroes on the Water, what it is and what y’all do? 

JD:          We provide therapy on the water for wounded warriors.  All of us who have been kayak fishing understand the relaxation and therapy it brings.  Imagine what that does for a wounded warrior trying to reintegrate back to the real world, especially those with physical brain damage – Traumatic Brain Injury -  TBI, mental challenges, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder –PTSD.  And also the physical injuries seen and unseen like amputations, burns, and spinal injuries.  Anyone can do this.  We have a triple amputee kayak fishing, and he thinks it is easy!  After years of seeing the benefits, I asked a neurologist why what we do is so effective.  Dr. John Hart at the Center for Brain Health told us we were doing three things, we give them an environment they can feel comfortable in (a bunch of trash talking, having fun fisherman very similar to the military environment they grew up in. They start to relax and trust us,) we then put them in a kayak by themselves where they are captain of their own ship, in charge, and can successfully paddle and fish with very little help or instruction. So we start them out in a situation where they are instantly successful and they can let their guard down and relax.  They are now open to the impact of water.  Finally, and most importantly, water hits all five senses very strongly and very powerfully at the same time.  This gives them a very positive, powerful image and memory that can override the “bad stuff” their brain is trying to handle.  Amazingly simple, cheap, and very cool, what our sport can do for those who have given us so much.  Our volunteers and supporters around the country are making this happen almost every week.

PK:         When did you start this, and what gave you the idea?

JD:          I am one of the founders.  Kendal Larson, Brad Newman, and I were all kayak fisherman and military veterans.  We loved the fairly new sport and wanted to share it.  In 2007, we decided to share it with our military brethren who had, in some cases, literally given a piece of themselves for us.  Major Cody Robison, at Army Bass Anglers, was at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and helped us find wounded veterans who wanted to go fishing.  The therapy it provides is a totally unintended consequence.

PK:         How have you seen Heroes on the Water (HOW) grow and evolve over the years? 

JD:          HOW is a grassroots program, we have not asked anyone to join.  We had an outing on the Texas Coast hosted by Will Manske with some wounded troops from Ft Hood and a bunch of the big names in the kayak fishing world.  Had a few “AHA” moments with some severely wounded folks and the avid kayak fisherman there became passionate about the cause.  It has expanded from there to 35+ chapters around the country, and it looks like we will add 5 more this spring.  Everything from a wounded soldier at Fort Bragg taking out a few folks and some of their family every weekend to the Chapter in Northern California that is taking out 30-40 folks at a time. And the California VA wanting to bring 80!  We like small outings where the service members can relax, but it is very hard to say no when they want to bring out a gaggle.  One of the coolest things, and one of the ways we want the program to go, is we have 6 chapters and the 10 week BAMC program run by wounded veterans, helping their own.

PK:         Is there any one particular Hero who you have helped through Heroes on the Water that stands out in your mind, and why is this case special to you? 

JD:          What makes all of this special is the guys and gals we get to fish with.  These are generally young warriors who have seen and done more than most of us.  They face some serious challenges physically, mentally, and in their families.  The attitudes and love of life that they come out with are amazing.  In part because we give them a break and they have a positive experience.  These are folks that we want to hang out and fish with, our fishing buddies.  “I lost a leg.  So what.  Let’s go fishing!”  Probably the one person that stands out a little is Ollie Hughes.  Ollie was (and is) an avid kayak fisherman before he was injured.  He lost a leg and had the other one crushed April 17, 2011 in an explosion.  Bill Stroud, our San Antonio Coordinator, had him on the water near San Antonio in June.  His wife Megan, wrote after that first outing, “These things really have made a difference in his emotional wellbeing.  He was completely different when he came off the water that day--he finally realized that he is going to be able to do whatever he wants to do in life even though it is going to be a little bit different. HUGE progress in just a few hours of being on the water.”  Bill, Joe Winston, and Kody Wilson have Ollie out fishing every chance he gets.  He has an amazing wife and 3 kids with two dogs.  They stick together through thick and thin.  A great family.  Ollie and Megan are both very stubborn and in love.  A great combo to help them through these tough times.  What makes them heroes?  Ollie’s willingness to serve is a little. What makes him, his family, and all the folks we get to fish with Heroes to us, is how they handle their lives after that crisis point.  They get back up on their feet or prosthetics and get going; don’t let anything slow them down.  That is what makes them heroes.

PK:         I know you touched on this a little about this earlier, but what are all the benefits that come to the participants?

JD:          Relaxation, therapy, and reintegration back into a normal world.  It show folks they can do anything.  Kids see their Dad’s and Mom’s normal again.  Wives and husbands get some of that person they married back.   A lifetime sport they can do with friends and families.  And, we want to be one of those friends. 

The outings are free. We have some awesome volunteers who give up their time, equipment, and yaks to get these folks on the water, and usually arrange a meal.  We occasionally have overnight trips which are even more therapeutic.

PK:         How does someone who is interested become involved in Heroes on the Water?

JD:          They can go on the webiste at www.heroesonthewater.org and contact us, email me directly at Jim@HeroesOnTheWater.org, or call us at 214-295-4541.

PK:         Any future goals for yourself (fish you want to catch, places you want to go, etc…)?

JD:          My wife and I have always planned to see the United States by RV when we retire in a few years.  We now want to do basically the same by going around and fishing with Chapters across the US, helping folks get Chapters up and running, and attend the numerous events that benefit HOW. 

PK:         Awesome, any future goals you have for Heroes on the Water?

JD:          We hope to expand to 150 chapters, serving 10,000 folks within 5 years, and maybe sooner if we can raise the money.  What we do is VERY easy and inexpensive.  All we are doing is taking newbies kayak fishing, it just happens to be incredibly therapeutic.  We have a bunch of dealers and manufactures helping us with equipment.  Every penny we save there helps us put another troop in a seat.  We really want to provide 2-3 day trips with the veterans.  They very rarely get a chance to relax and just plain ole BS with their battle buddies.  We see some major healing happen after they get to relax and open up on the water.  Those evening sessions around dinner and the fireplace are really eye opening and incredible for them.

PK:         Thanks, now for an easy Quick Answer segment.

                I am a rod guy, my whole trip revolves around what rods I am going to bring.  If you could choose one, what is your favorite Rod?

JD:          Gary Loomis designed TFO 7’ medium Light Heroes on the Water Kayak spinning rod – Dean Thomas, Cory Routh and Fil Spencer helped to design it with Gary (Great rod and shameless plug.)

PK:         Do you have a favorite Reel? 

JD:          Shimano Stradic 2500

PK:         What is your favorite Lure?

JD:          White Zoom Horny Toad

PK:         Where is your favorite place to fish?

JD:          Saltwater flats around Aransas Pass, TX

PK:         Who has been or is your favorite fishing partner?

JD:          My wife!!

PK:         Who is the best angler you have ever had the chance to fish with?

JD:          My Wife!!!!!!!!

PK:         Yourself included, who is the best angler you know?

JD:          Dean Thomas -  OOPS - MY WIFE!!!!!!

PK:         Who is one person (present or historical) you would love to take Kayak Fishing? 

JD:          Robin Williams. We may not catch anything but I’d be laughing too hard to care!

PK:         In your travels, what is the best restaurant or food you have been able to have?

JD:          FRESH Thai food in some of the dives in Thailand.  What we would call organic here was Mom and Pop pulling food from the garden and fish from the sea and cooking a meal.  Also some Sushi on Truk Island in the Pacific where the locals would come out of the water with fresh fish, filet, slice and serve.

PK:         Awesome.  Thanks again Jim.  Thanks for your time and I appreciate the interview.  Is there anything else you would like to say?  Anyone or anything you would like to mention? 

JD:          Thanks to all of the HOW volunteers at the pointy end of the sword getting these guys and gals on the water.  A very intense and very rewarding cause.  And also thanks to those who help start and push HOW forward. You know who you are.

To read Part 1: Interview with Jim Dolan - Part 1

Other posts of interest:
Interview with Drew Gregory - Part 1 
Interview With Tray Collins
Why I Kayak Fish - Part 1 (The Beginning)
The Plight of the Guadalupe Bass
Case for a "Big Time" Kayak Fishing Tournament Trail