Tarpon Of A Lifetime
by: Christopher LeCoq
Have you ever been a part of one of those adventures into the outdoors that left a lasting memory that you’ll never forget?
Tanner Kelm, a young man from Wisconsin, had a dream. Tanner always had a passion for the outdoors and frequently visited a family fishing camp in upstate Wisconsin mostly targeting northern pike and muskie. He was like every other kid who loved playing sports and loved the outdoors. But a football injury during his senior year of high school left lingering pains, and Tanner would soon be faced with some terrifying news. A form of bone cancer named Ewing sarcoma would sideline Tanner for well over a year with over 100 days combined of chemotherapy and radiation, but he kept his positive attitude and most importantly his outdoor dream. Tanner always wanted to go tarpon fishing. He had only seen videos of it online and had it as a bucket-list trip if ever given the opportunity. It would be through the generosity of individuals he had never met that Tanner would get his chance to hook on to a monster tarpon as part of a Hunt of a Lifetime.
With the help of the Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation, Tanner would be selected for a fishing or hunting trip of his choice. Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide hunting and fishing opportunities to youth battling life threating illness or disability. It was through the generous network of Hunt of a Lifetime and their media partnership with Bayou Wild TV that Tanner would team up with Captain Jeremy McHugh of Still Water Fishing Charters in Mississippi for a tarpon trip he will never forget. Only the wait for the occasion would be delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and advice of doctors to not travel. Tanner patiently waited for over a year as his health continued to improve and the pandemic guidelines becoming less strict, and on a hot August 2021 morning Tanner and his dad Jason made the journey south from Wisconsin for his Hunt of a Lifetime.
The story that would follow would be a picture-perfect day on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, some massive tarpon, laughter and smiles, excitement and awe, and one unforgettable day, not just for Tanner but for everyone involved in making his fishing trip of a lifetime possible. And with his health improving tremendously, it is almost certain that Tanner’s bucket-list for outdoor adventures will grow exponentially after this experience.
To learn more about Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation visit huntofalifetime.org
To book a tarpon fishing trip with Captain Jeremy McHugh visit stillwaterfishingms.com
To watch other episodes of Bayou Wild TV visit youtube.com/bayouwildtv
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