ODFW Angling Instructor Wins Anglers Legacy Contest (VIDEO)

As the national winner, Webb will star in a television spot that will air on the World Fishing Network, which airs around the globe over the Dish Network.

Mitch Webb

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - A volunteer fishing instructor with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been named the national winner of a nationwide contest aimed at recruiting anglers and conserving America’s aquatic resources.

Mitch Webb of Canby, will receive an all-expense paid trip to Miami, Florida Feb. 12-14 for submitting the winning entry in the Anglers Legacy/World Fishing network essay contest.

The essay contest was sponsored by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating.

Mitch Webb is widely known in Oregon and on the Internet for his project Kevin's Driftboat. It is a unique and inspiring story.

Kevins Driftboat is a tribute to Mitch's lifelong friend, Oregon National Guard Staff Sgt Kevin Davis. "My fishing buddy lost his wonderful life to a roadside bomb, while on patrol near Hawijah, IRAQ April 8th 2005," Webb explains.

He explains that Kevin was excited to get home soon on leave, and fish in his first driftboat.

"His wife had just purchased it for him, and he had only seen some pictures. His Mom described it as something he wanted his whole life, but could never afford, until it was too late."

Mitch explains that Kevin left him a touching voicemail just days before passing. He had just received my Steelhead pictures and commented "Nice Fish, Real nice fish".

"I thought he would be back soon, in the peak of Spring Salmon and Summer Steelhead fishing on the South Santiam River. And then his wife called..."

The boat originally intended for Kevin Davis is now used to take military veterans fishing. Mitch has already touched many lives with this experience and it is a healing therapy for veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: PTSD.

He said, "We would like to help all Oregon National Guard veterans and other folks find fishing partners, and provide timely fishing tips to increase everyone's fishing success."

As the national winner of the essay contest, Webb will star in a television spot that will air on the World Fishing Network, which airs around the globe over the Dish Network.

As an ODFW volunteer fishing instructor for the past two years, Webb has been instrumental in helping scores of children catch their first fish, largely through his efforts as a steward and volunteer angling instructor at Canby Pond, and also at free fishing clinics and other events throughout Northwest Oregon.

Webb spearheaded a cooperative effort between ODFW and the City of Canby to restore a pond and turn it into a popular trout fishery for youths and persons with disabilities. Last year he put in more than 250 volunteer hours at the pond teaching hundreds of kids how to fish. This experience was the topic of his essay, which was selected on the basis of passion, creativity and commitment to the RBFF mission.

In addition to his work at Canby Pond, Webb enjoys taking returning war veterans on steelhead fishing trips on the Deschutes River. He is also a well-known figure on the popular fishing website iFish.net, where he offers encouragement and advice to all kinds of anglers.

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