Marty's Drift December 2003

Conquering Adversity

If there is anyone who is an example of overcoming adversity it has to be Phil Gonzalez, the owner of Bighorn River Lodge. In September of 1979 Phil was rear ended by a semi tractor/trailer rig as he was parked on the shoulder of the interstate highway. The accident resulted in very serious back injuries requiring four back operations between the time of the accident and September of 2002. The operations involved the placement of titanium rods and other metal to correct the damage done to his back. Phil's mobility has been severely hampered.

Because of all the complications he had to go through, and because of the concerned, compassionate care he received from the medical staff members who looked after him, Phil made a commitment in 1985. If he ever got back on his feet, he would do all he could to help others.

Phil kept running into people who were physically challenged, people who were confined to wheelchairs, people who because of advancing age had mobility problems while attempting to continue their pursuit of fishing activities, people with a myriad of health or physical problems that inhibited their outdoor endeavors. Phil became determined to find a way to take these people fishing.

In 1989 Phil bought 20 acres on the Bighorn River. Before long the image of a lodge, accessible to the handicapped, took form in Phil's mind. Shortly the lodge was in operation, but the requirement of a drift boat that was secure for those confined to a wheelchair and easily accessible still went unfulfilled. Phil had talked with several drift boat manufacturers, but ran into stone walls. No one was willing to modify a boat to suit his requirements.

Then, at a sportsmen's show one year, he found his booth situated across from ClackaCraft's booth. During the course of the show Phil expressed his needs in a drift boat to the ClackaCraft staff. Instead of a stone wall he found them willing to make an effort to provide him with the boat he wanted. As Phil says, "Not only did ClackaCraft share my vision, they improved on it. By the time we were done I had the boat I wanted."

Since then Phil has been using ClackaCraft boats for his guide and outfitting business at Bighorn River Lodge. The way the boats are made he can securely anchor a wheelchair-bound angler in the boat so he can enjoy a day of being on the water fishing. The low side boat Phil uses makes it easier for anglers to enter and exit the boat. Phil says this is really great when an angler needs to make a quick dash for the bushes.

Phil has been fishing the Bighorn River for over 32 years. He was intimately involved in the river being re-opened to the public in 1981. He even got himself arrested in 1978 in order to send a test case to court. This wound up in the Supreme Court, and resulted in the river being re-opened to the public in 1981. In 1984 Phil did one of the first TV fly fishing shows with Larry Schoenborn in “Fishing the West” on the Bighorn. On that show they fished with streamers. Phil says he still enjoys a day of streamer fishing.

Currently Phil hosts his own outdoor sports TV show; "Wal-Mart Great Outdoors."(OLN Network) On the show he hunts and fishes throughout the country.

For a guy facing so much adversity caused by the accident back in 1979 Phil has accomplished much. Phil sums up his situation this way, "The industry (fly fishing) has been good to me. Not only have I had a good time owning and operating Bighorn River Lodge, I look forward to challenges of all kinds. I've never been one to sit still and let others do the thinking for me. And I can honestly say that my wealth is enhanced by all the friends I have made over the years in the fishing world."

Give Marty a call at: (503) 655-9532

You can also call Idaho Falls at (800) 394-1345.