Larry Draughn’s boat is outfitted with amenities that make it easy for him to fish.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn going to work at the Northern Open on Lake St. Clair. For him, fishing is therapeutic and takes his mind off of injuries he sustained during his military service in Afghanistan. Read the story about Draughn’s triumph over tribulation here.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn dons his new uniform, a Semper Fi Fund jersey. Read more about the Semper Fi Fund here.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Most noticeable in his custom Legend boat is the Fish’N Rail, which helps Draughn as he moves from his console to the front deck.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Included in the boat's aesthetic touches are Marine ACU-dipped electronics housings, front and back.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn checks his waypoints before heading out on the Detroit River/Lake St. Clair for the 2012 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open #2.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
The seats in the Alpha Tactical are made from the same material as a AH-64 Apache Attack helicopter.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn maneuvers his boat through launch traffic.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn makes final preparations before the Northern Open on the Detroit River.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn moves to deploy his trolling motor.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
His Motor Guide is a remote-controlled unit, activated by a fob around Draughn’s neck.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
“I had to learn to cast again and to tie lures differently with my hands because they both were broken in the injury,” he said. “But when I’m out there fishing, all my pain and worries go away. When I went bass fishing, I didn’t even need to take any pain medications.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Draughn says that fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens is a dream come true.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
“It was amazing because I’d never had the chance to fish competitively before my injury,” recalled the native of Fairborn, Ohio. “I grew up bass fishing, having done it with my dad since I was big enough to hold a rod.”
Photo: David Hunter Jones
Even in driving rain, Draughn is all smiles on the water.
Photo: David Hunter Jones
