Anglers, businessmen get Soldiers hooked on fishing
John Pennell
Fort Richardson PAO
FORT RICHARDSON, Alaska – With the rapid pace of operations since the start of the Global
War on Terrorism, many Soldiers assigned to Alaska spend the majority of their time training or
deployed. They don’t always get a chance to enjoy activities most Alaskans take for granted – like
fishing.
But thanks to a few local anglers and businessmen, the opportunities are slowly growing; not only
in number, but also in affordability.
In one such case, five single Soldiers were treated to a day of guided salmon fishing Aug. 5 on the
Little Susitna River by Fisherman’s Choice Charters, from Willow, in conjunction with Fort
Richardson’s Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program.
While the trip happened because of dedicated volunteer work, it had its genesis with a program
conceived by a dedicated Soldier-fisherman in Texas – Staff Sgt. Mike Nashif, Headquarters Service
Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood.
The program is a nationwide department of Combat Warrior Crisis Network, an official Affiliate
Subordinate Ministry legally operating under the group exemption of Chaplain Fellowship
Ministries International Inc., a legally incorporated 501 (c) 3 Federal Tax Exempt Non-Profit Public
Charity.
The Alaska trip, one of several Fisherman’s Choice and other individual anglers have offered,
started when Nashif introduced his TASF program to state anglers via the Internet and the Alaska
Outdoors Directory’s Alaska Fishing Forum.

At Fisherman’s Choice, office manager and guide Terri Studnicka said the business also decided
to volunteer spaces on their boats after reading one of Nashif’s postings.
“The service members not only bust their humps, but they put their lives on the line for our
freedom,” she said. “Without them, where would we be?
“The service members love to be able to get away from their combat boots and put on some
wading boots, not only to catch fish, but to get away and soak up a little R&R, fun and see things
only seen on the Alaskan rivers,” she said.
Charter owner Ray Blodgett took the most recent group of Soldiers fishing for silver salmon on
the popular, but sometimes hard to fish, Little Susitna, with the group of five anglers bringing home
six fish.The excursion was Sgt. Jason Tempke’s third fishing trip in six months of being stationed in
Alaska. Tempke is assigned to Fort Richardson’s Warrior Transition Unit and said he enjoyed the
offer of free fishing.
“It’s awesome. I had a great time,” he said. “It’s beautiful out here; I love getting out here.”
For Spc. Brad Urban of the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, the trip gave him
something he probably wouldn’t have given himself – a true taste of the Alaska experience.
“For a guy living in the barracks, who has a car payment and insurance and (a) cell phone
payment and whatever other payments they’ve got, it’s a godsend,” he said. “Number one, it gets
them out of the barracks and gives them a day off from work during the week. I’ve experienced a
good part of Alaska, but I’ve never experienced this.
“I’ve never caught a silver,” he said. “I had a great experience today. When you get to fish in
Alaska, it heightens your experience. When you’re up here in the barracks, the best part is getting
out and doing stuff.”
For Spc. Jason Biggs, also from the 1-501st, his first time fishing in Alaska came at the end of his
assignment and his active-duty Army career. He is set to return to Florida, where he plans to join
the National Guard.
“It was really nice that they could help us out and hook us up with this,” Biggs said. “It’s good
that they look out for the Soldiers.
“This was a great trip,” he continued. “I’ve been up here for four-and-a-half years, and this is my
first time fishing up here. I had a blast.”