Featured image by Jordan Rodriguez for the Idaho Statesman
Wes Atkinson knew that after his arm was amputated things would change, but he knew that no matter what, he wouldn’t let the injury keep him from pursuing his passion for the outdoors. Wes lost his arm in a UTV accident in June, but his addiction to fishing got him back out on the water by the end of July using a custom-built fly rod designed to be used one-handed.
Initially he feared his fishing and hunting seasons would be cut short, but thanks to his supportive family and his own drive to get back out, he’s managed to sneak in a half dozen float trips on his local trout river since the accident and it sounds like he has had no issues devising methods to reel in his catches.
“I’ve caught a lot of fish, including several over 20 inches,” Atkinson said. “But I’ve also lost a lot of fish. It’s figuring out a new way of doing things, but your body gets into the habit pretty quick.”
Our hats are off to Wes and we hope that he continues to dominate his outdoor life and share his passion with others. Check him out on Instagram at @downahandmountainman!
To read more about Wes, check out this article on the Idaho Statesman!
