Support Bob Klade, Disabled Veteran

Andy and I are two physicians-in-training (ophthalmology at Rush University in Chicago and emergency medicine at Brown University in Rhode Island) with a passion for fishing. We are raising money for our disabled veteran friend, Bob Klade. Bob loves fishing, but his opportunities to fish are currently limited after going blind a few years ago. While this money will go towards supporting him and his family, it remains our hope that some will go towards funding future fishing trips for him. This year will mark Bob's THIRD trip to Rhode Island for some epic fishing trips in the beautiful ocean state! Bob will be venturing to Rhode Island for a three day adventure over labor day weekend this September.

Here are some highlights from the past two years (including 2017 viral highlight video with footage of the 700+ Giant Bluefin Tuna caught off of Cape Cod).

Andy and Bob with a Coxes' Ledge Cod


Cod and Sea Bass

700 lb+ Giant Bluefish Tuna

Growing up, Bob split his time between Minnesota and Colorado working as an arctic cat sports dealer and spent much of his free time hunting and fishing. Approximately four years ago, Bob underwent a major elective surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm and unfortunately woke up blind after the surgery. The injury forced Bob to move into a smaller home with his family in rural northern Minnesota and his opportunities to fish are limited.

Throughout medical school, Andy and I have been involved with various veteran fishing programs (projecthealingwaters.org and Helping Veterans Go Fishing). Andy first met Bob while he was living at the Blind Rehabilitation Center at the VA next door to our medical school. Since then, we have had multiple opportunities to go fishing with Bob in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and have immensely enjoyed our time with him. Despite his acquired blindness, Bob remains kind, generous and fun to be around. We feel fortunate to have gotten to know him so well over the past several years.

 The week after graduating medical school, we (Andy, Josh, Brendon, Dave and Mike) went fishing with Bob near his home in McIntosh, MN.


Rhode Island Mahi Mahi


Thanks to Dave Henault of Ocean State tackle for his generous donations of fishing gear and bait for our Rhode Island trips!

Fishing Narragansett Bay

2017 Fishing Crew - Andy's Dad Paul, Mike, Bob, Andy and Mike D. Here's to many future trips together!!!


2017 Highlight Video

We hope to make 2018 the biggest and best year yet!!!! Thank you for your donations!!!