Fish With A Hero Hosts Veterans at Lakes Park

Dozens of veterans gathered at Lakes Park on November 7 for a fishing and fellowship event organized by Fish With A Hero.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Fishing

Flat gouache-painted editorial illustration of a fishing rod leaning on a weathered dock post beside a paddle at a calm subtropical lake edge. — Dozens of veterans fished and fellowshipped at Lakes Park in Fort Myers on November 7, the third year Fish With A Hero has held the event there. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Fish With A Hero hosted a fishing event for dozens of veterans at Lakes Park on November 7, 2026. Participants fished from the shore and from kayaks, attempting to catch common snook and largemouth bass.

Why it matters

Executive Director Larry Kendzior recognizes that fishing offers therapeutic value for veterans dealing with PTSD and brain injuries. The event marks the third consecutive year the organization has held it at Lakes Park.

Fish With A Hero, which began in 2013, organized the November 7 event, and volunteers provided fly-tying instruction. Only one fish was caught during the day, by volunteer Tim Zimmerman.

The players

Fish With A Hero

A Southwest Florida organization that connects veterans through outdoor activities and was founded in 2013.

Larry Kendzior

Executive Director of Fish With A Hero who has recognized fishing's therapeutic benefits for veterans with PTSD and brain injuries.

The details

Veterans fished from the shore and launched kayaks onto the water at Lakes Park. Volunteer Drei Stroman, who has fly-fished for more than 50 years, taught fly-tying, and Zimmerman, who served eight years in the military including combat tours in Iraq and the Horn of Africa, made the lone catch.

2013: Fish With A Hero began operations in Southwest Florida.
November 7, 2026: Veterans fishing and fellowship event held at Lakes Park.

Season Trajectory

Organized outdoor recreation for veterans has grown as a complement to clinical care for PTSD and brain injury. This Lakes Park event continues a third consecutive year of such programming in Southwest Florida.

Fort Myers residents and visiting veterans can take part in similar outdoor fishing programs run by local volunteer groups. Anyone interested in joining or volunteering can look to Fish With A Hero's Southwest Florida events.

The takeaway

Recreational fishing can serve as a practical outlet for veterans managing PTSD and brain injuries. Community programs like this one show how local volunteers can make outdoor activity accessible to people who need it.