MOUNTAIN HOME — Idaho Backcountry Vets is a non-profit organization run by veterans who makes it their mission to take other vets out hunting and fishing in the great Idaho outdoors.
On Saturday Idaho Backcountry Vets hosted their second annual kokanee salmon fishing tournament at Anderson Ranch Reservoir and they had almost twice as many boats out in the water as last year with 65.
It's that shared experience of being outdoors with other veterans that makes an outing with Idaho Backcountry Vets special and therapeutic.
"I think one of the things you miss the most when you leave the service is the camaraderie," said U.S. Marine Corps veteran Colleen Walker. "For me the outdoors is a big stress relief and being out here with these guys is kind of like being in the military environment again."
Idaho Backcountry Veterans tell us this is their way of continuing to serve after leaving the military which allows them to get outdoors with like minded people and go fishing.
This event also raises funds for the organization to be able to get more vets outdoors, first prize in this tournament earns a thousand dollars and bragging rights for an entire year.
"We are out here to rip lips, we haven't ripped too many today but we aren't done yet and that's why they call it fishing," said Chris "Doc" Stoehner of Idaho Backcountry Veterans.
To see Colleen Walker land her first kokanee salmon check out the video and for more on this organization click here.
