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Alexandria Chapter to Help Osakis’ Let’s Go Fishing Organization
Osakis, MN -(FishNLand.com)-

Put a fishing pole in the hand of Osakis’ oldest residents out on Lake Osakis and you’re likely to snag as many memories as fish.

That’s why Let’s Go Fishing is so important.

The organization provides seniors, who might not otherwise get the opportunity, a chance to get out on the lake for fishing or boating expeditions.

And thanks to a merger of sorts, the Osakis group will continue to operate – the Osakis and Alexandria chapters of Let’s Go Fishing have merged.

Alexandria chapter director of operations Jim Schoeberl encourages Osakis residents to look at the change as a positive move.

Osakis will have one representative on the chapter board and the pontoon will be reserved for use in Osakis one week of every month.

The Osakis chapter of Let’s Go Fishing started strong in 2006, yet gradually slowed to where the pontoon wasn’t used to its capacity. The Alexandria chapter formed one year later with one pontoon. By the end of last season, the group was looking for an additional pontoon, according to Schoeberl.

By joining the two chapters, both groups win, he explained, with another pontoon available for use in the Alexandria area while maintaining fishing opportunities for Osakis residents.

“The mission of Let’s Go Fishing is to give back to the community’s seniors some small token of appreciation for all they have done to build the community we so often take for granted,” Schoeberl explained. “Our aim is to get those who don’t have a boat or can’t go out on their own, the chance to fish.”

Let’s Go Fishing offers seniors with fishing and boating excursions at no cost, providing life jackets, rods, reels and bait.

The pontoons are handicapped accessible and volunteers are trained to handle any emergency that may arise.

Volunteer opportunities are also available with the Osakis portion of Let’s Go Fishing. A training session will be held prior to the season start date of June 1.

Many of the volunteers are young retirees, although anyone willing to help is welcome.

“You can only fish so much,” Schoeberl said. “Then it’s time to share that passion with others.”

He is also looking for a volunteer to handle scheduling of Osakis Let’s Go Fishing excursions and coordinate volunteers.

The Alexandria-Osakis area Let’s Go Fishing group will host a fish fry fundraiser Thursday, April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge in Alexandria.

To sign up to go fishing or to volunteer, call George Abelseth at (320) 859-5455.

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