Evers fishes Grand Lake for Healing Heroes tour

Edward Evers fished with Mark Broda, an Air Force veteran, during the OPTIMA Batteries Healing Heroes In Action tour on Grand Lake.

Evers is all smiles as Broda sets the hook on another bass.
Evers is all smiles as Broda sets the hook on another bass.
Greg Mansfield, behind the wheel, and his City Wide Services of Minnesota business made the winning bid of $2,800 for the chance to fish against Edwin Evers and WWIA associate Mark Broda. Mansfield’s partner, Joel Willert is in the passenger seat, flanking live-stream cameraman Ben Oliver.
Greg Mansfield, behind the wheel, and his City Wide Services of Minnesota business made the winning bid of $2,800 for the chance to fish against Edwin Evers and WWIA associate Mark Broda. Mansfield’s partner, Joel Willert is in the passenger seat, flanking live-stream cameraman Ben Oliver.
Broda and Evers started the day in an area that would normally be dry ground on Grand Lake, fishing various flooded vegetation.
Broda and Evers started the day in an area that would normally be dry ground on Grand Lake, fishing various flooded vegetation.
Evers’ began his search for a fish-attracting lure pattern began with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.
Evers’ began his search for a fish-attracting lure pattern began with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.
Mark Broda isn’t a newcomer to bass fishing, but he picked up plenty of tips from Evers during the day.
Mark Broda isn’t a newcomer to bass fishing, but he picked up plenty of tips from Evers during the day.
Broda puts a bend in the rod as he seeks to put some distance on a spinnerbait.
Broda puts a bend in the rod as he seeks to put some distance on a spinnerbait.
There was no lack of cover in which to throw spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Grand Lake came up 7 ½ feet between Sunday and Thursday.
There was no lack of cover in which to throw spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Grand Lake came up 7 ½ feet between Sunday and Thursday.
Evers and Broda appear to be fishing on Amazon River, where river flows through forest.
Evers and Broda appear to be fishing on Amazon River, where river flows through forest.
If this were deer season, this tree stand would be accessible only by boat.
If this were deer season, this tree stand would be accessible only by boat.
With a pair of mallards splashing in the foreground, a Canada goose walks her young ones single file on a “training mission.”
With a pair of mallards splashing in the foreground, a Canada goose walks her young ones single file on a “training mission.”
This is what it looked like in the main Grand Lake channel Thursday, where boating was a risky adventure.
This is what it looked like in the main Grand Lake channel Thursday, where boating was a risky adventure.
Bridge pilings tended to be gathering places for much of the logs and debris that had washed into Grand Lake.
Bridge pilings tended to be gathering places for much of the logs and debris that had washed into Grand Lake.
“No Wake” signs were partially submerged in an abbreviated message.
“No Wake” signs were partially submerged in an abbreviated message.
Mark Broda seems to be questioning Edwin Evers’ choice of fishing holes, as Rick Mason documents the adventure on camera.
Mark Broda seems to be questioning Edwin Evers’ choice of fishing holes, as Rick Mason documents the adventure on camera.
Here we go – into the bush. Evers used his boat like a bulldozer to move floating logs and create an opening.
Here we go – into the bush. Evers used his boat like a bulldozer to move floating logs and create an opening.
Then it became hand-to-hand combat with the vines and limbs obstructing their path under this low bridge.
Then it became hand-to-hand combat with the vines and limbs obstructing their path under this low bridge.
Evers ducks under the bridge as Broda pushes the boat through the jungle.
Evers ducks under the bridge as Broda pushes the boat through the jungle.
Broda gives two thumbs up, as the hard part is over.
Broda gives two thumbs up, as the hard part is over.
Broda makes sure the back end of Evers boat will clear the bridge.
Broda makes sure the back end of Evers boat will clear the bridge.
Steve Bowman had to lay low on the boat deck to follow Evers and Broda.
Steve Bowman had to lay low on the boat deck to follow Evers and Broda.
Evers’ hunch paid off quickly, as he caught the first keeper of the day after getting back into an area that would be inaccessible at normal lake levels.
Evers’ hunch paid off quickly, as he caught the first keeper of the day after getting back into an area that would be inaccessible at normal lake levels.
But everyone had to move back out to the main lake quickly, after it was determined there wasn’t enough cell signal strength for the live-streaming video.
But everyone had to move back out to the main lake quickly, after it was determined there wasn’t enough cell signal strength for the live-streaming video.
So it was back to searching for a pattern along the flooded banks of Grand Lake.
So it was back to searching for a pattern along the flooded banks of Grand Lake.
Although Evers has many years of experience on Grand Lake, he said he’d never fished it within 5 feet of its current level.
Although Evers has many years of experience on Grand Lake, he said he’d never fished it within 5 feet of its current level.
Broda and Evers scope out the next plan of attack as Rick Mason and his camera clear sycamore branches.
Broda and Evers scope out the next plan of attack as Rick Mason and his camera clear sycamore branches.
Evers continued to look for a pattern, moving to the edge of a riprap bank near a bridge.
Evers continued to look for a pattern, moving to the edge of a riprap bank near a bridge.
Evers and Broda probed the riprap and bridge pilings with no success.
Evers and Broda probed the riprap and bridge pilings with no success.
Broda reacts after swinging and missing on a bite.
Broda reacts after swinging and missing on a bite.
Broda hooks up on a buzzbait as he and Evers move on to the “fishing in people’s yards” pattern.
Broda hooks up on a buzzbait as he and Evers move on to the “fishing in people’s yards” pattern.
It’s not a monster, but Broda is fired up as he swings a bass in the boat.
It’s not a monster, but Broda is fired up as he swings a bass in the boat.
This would turn out to be the start of something big – a pattern of flipping Zoom Brush Hogs and Super Hogs next to the isolated flooded trees.
This would turn out to be the start of something big – a pattern of flipping Zoom Brush Hogs and Super Hogs next to the isolated flooded trees.
Broda kisses a bass for the folks at home.
Broda kisses a bass for the folks at home.
Every fish catch deserves some mugging for the camera.
Every fish catch deserves some mugging for the camera.
Randy (left) and Steve Baskins are avid bass fishermen and have a home on Grand Lake. They followed Evers and Broda most of the day, and made an unexpected on-the-water offer to donate $100 to WWIA for every pound the two two-man teams weighed at the end of the day.
Randy (left) and Steve Baskins are avid bass fishermen and have a home on Grand Lake. They followed Evers and Broda most of the day, and made an unexpected on-the-water offer to donate $100 to WWIA for every pound the two two-man teams weighed at the end of the day.
What appears to be a beautiful day on Grand Lake would soon change.
What appears to be a beautiful day on Grand Lake would soon change.
Evers lands a keeper on a green pumpkin Zoom Brush Hog.
Evers lands a keeper on a green pumpkin Zoom Brush Hog.
Broda and Evers are all smiles as their fish-catching starts to pick up.
Broda and Evers are all smiles as their fish-catching starts to pick up.
You’d think there was more than personal pride and a trophy on the line with a celebration like this.
You’d think there was more than personal pride and a trophy on the line with a celebration like this.
Evers begins to exploit the flipping isolated trees pattern.
Evers begins to exploit the flipping isolated trees pattern.
This was Evers’ “flowerpot bass,” which he caught near a submerged plant container that normally would be sitting on dry ground.
This was Evers’ “flowerpot bass,” which he caught near a submerged plant container that normally would be sitting on dry ground.
It was a good one and gave Evers quite a battle.
It was a good one and gave Evers quite a battle.
Evers swings the bass in his boat as it continues to battle him.
Evers swings the bass in his boat as it continues to battle him.
Broda shouts in celebration as Evers cracks a smile.
Broda shouts in celebration as Evers cracks a smile.
With the 3-pounder in hand, it’s time for a high five.
With the 3-pounder in hand, it’s time for a high five.
Broda lands another bass, but this one wouldn’t make it to the weigh-in.
Broda lands another bass, but this one wouldn’t make it to the weigh-in.
Broda thanks the bass for its service before releasing it.
Broda thanks the bass for its service before releasing it.
Evers flips up another solid fish from Grand Lake.
Evers flips up another solid fish from Grand Lake.
The bass throws a little water on Evers as he tries to gain control of it.
The bass throws a little water on Evers as he tries to gain control of it.
Evers and Broda celebrate a 3 ½-pounder. The Baskins brothers were celebrating with them nearby.
Evers and Broda celebrate a 3 ½-pounder. The Baskins brothers were celebrating with them nearby.
Whole lot of celebrating going on. Are we sure there wasn’t a large side bet with Greg Mansfield and Joel Willert on the day’s outcome?
Whole lot of celebrating going on. Are we sure there wasn’t a large side bet with Greg Mansfield and Joel Willert on the day’s outcome?
Evers is beginning to feel confident that he and Broda will have a winning bag.
Evers is beginning to feel confident that he and Broda will have a winning bag.
But it’s quickly back to work.
But it’s quickly back to work.
Evers instructs Broda on how best to flip a bait near the base of this sycamore tree.
Evers instructs Broda on how best to flip a bait near the base of this sycamore tree.
Evers and Broda continued to work up to the final minute of the 2 p.m. check-in time.
Evers and Broda continued to work up to the final minute of the 2 p.m. check-in time.
At the weigh-in Mansfield and Willert would bring three fish to the scales weighing 10 1/2 pounds.
At the weigh-in Mansfield and Willert would bring three fish to the scales weighing 10 1/2 pounds.
It would be no match for Evers and Broda's limit that totaled almost 19 pounds.
It would be no match for Evers and Broda’s limit that totaled almost 19 pounds.
The four anglers gather around Evers' truck for the trophy presentation.
The four anglers gather around Evers’ truck for the trophy presentation.
And Broda shows it off in Elite style.
And Broda shows it off in Elite style.
Broda would then present Evers with a trophy of his own; a heart-shaped plaque that Broda made himself. The plaque had a special place for a Wounded Warriors' challenge coin to be displayed along with it.
Broda would then present Evers with a trophy of his own; a heart-shaped plaque that Broda made himself. The plaque had a special place for a Wounded Warriors’ challenge coin to be displayed along with it.
<p>Edwin also had gifts to give as well.</p>
Edwin also had gifts to give as well.
<p>Many sponsors and advocates of the Wounded Warrior program donated prizes for all the participants</p>
Many sponsors and advocates of the Wounded Warrior program donated prizes for all the participants