Veteran known as the ‘blind angler’ inspires on fishing trip

For George Tice, the sound of the water and bobber is life at its best, but it wasn’t always like this.

While serving in the military in Saudi Arabia, he witnessed a helicopter crash and rescued the only survivor.

The experience left Tice with PTSD, anxiety and depression.

He also suffered a series of strokes that left him blind.

“It’s OK,” Tice said. “So I had a hard time, but I’ve come to deal with it and make the best of it.”

Now, Tice finds peace with his fishing friend, rod and reel.

“I love it because to me it just shows that someone with a disability can participate in something like this and you shouldn’t cut someone short,” Tice said.

Whenever he gets the chance, Tice makes sure all his fishing gear is exactly where it needs to be on his kayak.

Then with his co-captain, he hits the water. When that happens, fish beware.

Tice is known around the country for winning fishing tournaments.

“Sitting around, consider yourself disabled, hey, take a look at yourself, I don’t consider myself disabled,” Tice said. “I’m not going to let it stop me from doing different things.”

Tice said he lived through dark times, but now he looks at every day as a chance to try new stuff.