History
It all started in the spring of 1983 when five fishing buddies, Bob Carling, Hawk Nyhammer, Bob Gibson, Willard Eggan and Calvin Anderson were planning their 5th annual fishing trip to Lake of the Woods in Canada. Willard, with a desire to introduce his son to Canadian fishing, invited Terry to join them. Terry in turn invited his good friend Lyle Hookom to go as well. The older guys didn’t see them as kids but as equals with a voice. The willingness to listen and to share life’s experiences opened up new worlds of understanding between generations. These five men had suffered personal hardships and had endured the Great Depression of the 30s as well as World War II. Yet, to live, to laugh and never ask for sympathy or pity was an unwritten rule. Their enduring, fun-loving spirit inspired Terry and Lyle. Thus, the Mixed Nuts were born!
Decades later, the “Band of Brothers” has had a membership of 130 plus men who share their love for fishing and a desire for camaraderie. The range of ages of the group is testimony to the fact that relationships have no age boundaries.
Terry and Lyle now organize and lead the Mixed Nuts in their spring and fall fishing trips. Their commitment to making this an experience that changes lives and contributes to the betterment of all the Mixed Nuts is a remarkable story in itself. The success of that first trip in 1983, and the many years of history since, is a tribute to the spirit and legacy of the five original founders. Those who have joined the group over the years have contributed to the legacy by creating an atmosphere of acceptance and goodwill.
