Black Dagger Group 1

Late Hurricane Season, New Connections, and Memorable Fishing Trips

The 2024 hurricane season delivered its challenges, with storms developing unusually late in the year. Florida’s west coast faced significant impacts, leaving communities working hard to regain a sense of normalcy. For many children, this meant making up for missed school days.

But what does that have to do with us? Everything!

Our plans for winter break foster kid fishing trips—coordinated with Misty Wells of Let’s Take It Outside and A Reel Future—had to be adjusted when school calendars shifted. Misty, however, never misses a beat and reached out to find a new group to share this opportunity with.

Background on Misty and Krissy Meeting

Misty’s Vision: A Decade of A Reel Future

This year marked the 10th anniversary of A Reel Future, Misty’s nonprofit, which started with just a few hundred dollars and a big dream: to take foster children fishing. A decade later, over 4,000 kids have experienced the joy of being on the water, and the organization has expanded to include destination-based fishing trips.

A Shared Mission

Misty and I met at ICAST 2023. She shared her passion for fostering a love of fishing, and we quickly realized how aligned our missions were.

The Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation, named after my father, is dedicated to making fishing dreams come true and honoring his legacy as a conservationist and fishing icon. Together, Misty and I planned a series of trips to bring foster children to the Keys this past summer, and another series of kiddos for winter break.

When winter break plans shifted, Misty had an idea: why not invite a group of military veterans instead?

Partnering with Black Dagger Military Hunt Club

Misty introduced me to David Winters, President of the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club, a nonprofit that provides outdoor experiences for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Mission of Black Dagger

Their mission focuses on rehabilitative efforts and reintegration through activities like hunting, shooting, and fishing. They also specialize in adaptive equipment, allowing veterans with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or other disabilities to participate fully.

Immediate Plans

Within hours of our first call, Dave had booked three groups of military service members for our winter break trips. Many of these individuals are retired or active-duty personnel from Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

While we’ll keep individual names private for security reasons, their stories and resilience are remarkable.

Group 1: Weathering the Winds and Making Memories

Fishing Adventures

When the first group arrived, the wind was relentless, but our incredible captains made it work.

• Day 1: Captain Andrew Tippler, with nearly two decades of guiding experience, and Captain Jared Cyr, a fourth-generation Conch with unmatched local knowledge, split the group for a day of backcountry fishing. Snappers and tarpon were the catch of the day!
• Day 2: Offshore fishing proved tough with challenging conditions. Cowboy Charters gave it their all, and although the seas were rough, fish were caught, and good times were had.

Dockside Laughter and Dolphin Encounters

That evening, we met the group at the dock to share laughs and stories about their day.

The next adventure was a visit to the Dolphin Research Center (DRC). Watching these brave veterans—who have faced unimaginable challenges—get flustered by dolphins was priceless.

Having grown up around dolphins (my parents met as trainers in Miami), I knew these animals have a way of reading people and playing with them. The dolphins teased the group endlessly, staying just out of reach before eventually rewarding them with dorsal pulls and laughter.

Wrapping It Up at the Square Grouper

We ended the trip at Jose’s favorite restaurant, the Square Grouper. Over a fantastic meal, we shared stories, reflected on the day, and brainstormed ways to continue supporting each other’s missions.

Feedback from Our Guests

Words from a Veteran

Here’s what one veteran, “Z Man,” had to say:

“The team at the Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation was on their game for us active-duty and veteran military personnel. From accommodations to operations and dining, they provided a truly memorable, body-and-soul healing experience for both visible and invisible wounds. With all the fun we had, it’s gonna take a jackhammer to get this smile off my face.”