Angling to Help
Gene Campbell jokes that he has a master’s degree in business and ties fishing knots for a living. You’ll see he does much more than that.
A competitive bass angler, his primary career endeavor now is to hook military veterans and first responders on the peace and value of kayak fishing.
Suicide prevention comes in many forms – including on peaceful lakes. “I want to show civilians the importance and role they can play in suicide prevention,” says Gene, a civilian. “You don’t need to be a therapist. But you do need to be consistently available.”
Let’s take a peek below the surface to see how Gene, a Broomfield resident, combines angling with suicide prevention.
A great angler figures out where the fish are biting. And Gene discovered a few non-profit organizations that positively impact military veterans through outdoor activities – such as fishing.
The Warrior Bonfire Program (WBP), headquartered in Centennial, Colo., offers outdoor opportunities for Purple Heart recipients. On one WBP-sponsored trip Gene brought his boat and gear and served as a fishing guide for six medal recipients. That experience hooked Gene on making that – supporting military veterans – a mission in his life.
Gene also made a connection early in this decade with Marine veteran Brian Romans, the founder of Romans Warrior Foundation (RWF), headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Ala. Again, Gene used his experience and skill to provide impactful fishing experiences for veterans.
Gene suggested that RWF purchase kayaks and helped Brian create programs related to those vessels. “Brian helped breathe life into the work I was doing with veterans,” Gene says. “He became my combat-vet liaison to help me navigate the non-profit world.”
A BOAT FOR 4 KAYAKS
In 2021 Gene was still an aspiring pro angler with a boat. But his volunteer work changed his focus from competition to generosity. “I sold my bass boat in 2022 and bought four kayaks,” Gene says with the grin of a man who just landed a whopper. “I shifted my life goal to share my gifts and experiences with folks who could truly benefit from them.”
In December 2022 Gene registered the name True Patriot Outfitters (TPO) – a name suggested by a Purple Heart recipient he introduced to kayak fishing – with the State of Colorado and became the founder and sole employee of a new non-profit.
An advocate of “less is more,” Gene and his organization deliver opportunities for military veterans and first responders to go on fishing and/or camping trips.
There’s something powerful about kayak excursions, Gene believes. “First, participants get an intimate experience with the outdoors. On a kayak you get a close connection to the elements: water, wind, vegetation, fish. In a kayak, at least half your time involves vessel management, keeping it safe and pointed in the right direction. The other half is focused on trying to fool the fish. That leaves no time for thinking about the crazy and stressful elements of life.”
Some of the kayakers paddle off by themselves, which is fine, in Gene’s book. “I sit back, watch them tune in to nature and the kayak, and help when needed.”
Gene says, “I designed TPO to help vets help others AND themselves.” That service primarily comes in one of three tiers.
Tier 1 events: a half-day outing to a local fishing lake in the particpants’ area. “We avoid crowded locations because we want it to be safe and relaxing.” TPO hosts approximately 14 of these events yearly.
Tier 2 events for those who have participated in a Tier 1 event: a long weekend of fishing on Friday and Saturday and “back home in time for the Broncos game on Sunday.” At these events “the real rubber meets the road as participants share stories around the campfire.” Gene adds: “As a civilian myself I try to have big ears to grasp the gravity of their stories. A lot of the vets are in good shape but need to get out of the grind and in an environment where they can speak freely with zero judgment.” Gene typically recruits a few volunteers to go along with the participants and four kayaks. Gene’s goal is 6-7 Tier 2 events yearly.
Tier 3 events: Gene hopes to do the first 5-day excursion next spring and plans for two yearly.
Angling jargon includes slang and abbreviations. So does the non-profit world. Gene’s networking led him to tap into WTP and RWF, which helped him create TPO. Where does CRF come into play?
2 FOUNDERS MEET
Gene and Marshall met at a Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (nope, I’ll not throw another abbreviation into the mix) event where TPO and CRF both received donations. The two organizational founders found in each other kindred spirits.
“I wrote Brian Romans in Alabama to say ‘I’ve found our people (CRF) out here. CRF is like-minded and one-mission oriented.’” Ever since meeting Marshall this year Gene has scoped out opportunities to be involved with CRF. That could lead to a more formal arrangement.
Gene says: “Marshall and I are looking at the possibility of folding my non-profit under the CRF banner. CRF doesn’t offer exactly what I do but provides many other resources with its bigger organization. To join a group that has a lot of great people with a similar mission is exciting.”
Whatever happens with the possible merger, Gene will keep his kayaks and fishing gear handy. “If someone asks me to go fishing, I’ll figure out when,” he say without hesitation. Sticking with his love of the water, Gene knows the work of TPO and CRF represents “upstream prevention.”
Pro bass anglers practice “active fishing,” luring bass to strike the bait even when their stomachs are filled to the gills. Passive fishing? Just cast out and see what happens. CRF and TPO’s successes involve action – creating events to help vets authentically connect in groups and strengthen their self-worth.
“We want to show our local heroes and warfighting families that the general community cares about them,” Gene says. “Our job is to save lives.” That’s no exaggeration. That mission is a keeper.