Dicks full of fish stories at charity event

BREMERTON — North Mason Resources snagged a big fish to headline its event Saturday, and he regaled about 100 dinner guests with big fish stories.
Norm Dicks, during 35 years in Congress, took many officials on fishing trips, he said during the “Evening With Norm” fundraiser at Kitsap Conference Center. One was Navy Secretary John Lehman.

After attending three parades, they flew from Gig Harbor Narrows Airport to a grass field in Westport, where Bremerton Mayor Glenn Jarstad moored a charter boat.

They caught 11 kings between the south and north jetties that afternoon and Leyman, who had never landed a salmon, played most of them. The group went back out the next morning and hooked four more.

“Two weeks later I run into him and he says, ‘Hey Norm, would you like an aircraft carrier in Bremerton?’” Dicks said.

Another time, Jarstad’s brother John took out one of Dicks’ groups. They trailed a line setup called a dipsy-do in the wake to attract fish. A 50-pound salmon struck it. The rod and reel were junk, so Dicks and Jarstad reeled it in by hand.

Dicks messed up and instead of calling it a dipsy-do, said it was a meat line, an illegal rigging featuring a big flasher that was subject to a $125 fine. Fish and Wildlife officials investigated and determined appropriate gear was used.

“The next day the headlines read, ‘Dicks off the hook,’” he said.

Dicks, who lives near Belfair on Hood Canal, was introduced Saturday by successor Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. Kilmer summarized the Bremerton native’s many achievements, saying it’s nearly impossible to avoid his imprint on the community.

“But he’s probably most proud of the people he’s been able to help over the years, not unlike North Mason Resources,” which is what the evening was all about, Kilmer said.

North Mason Resources is a clearing house of services and information for people in need. The Belfair nonprofit organization and its partners help with housing, employment, health care, dental care, mental health, children’s clothing, medicine and veterans benefits.

Normally it helps support itself through smaller fundraisers like chowder and chili cook-offs. This year, the nonprofit decided to reach outside the immediate area to help it through the always-busy winter.

The organization, which has had 9,000 visits this year, requires them to understand why they’re in trouble and help get themselves out of it.

“This is not a handout, it’s a hand up to a better life,” said Cat Ross, the group’s management consultant.

Among the success stories is Ada Huffman, who spoke Saturday. She was a successful business woman in the music industry in Los Angeles. Her boss retired, and she lost her job. Then she got cancer, which sapped her money and her good health.

“Someone like me doesn’t end up homeless,” she said.

But she did, for three years, moving back to Washington and bouncing from family member to family member.

She was referred to North Mason Resources, which helped her get a volunteer position at North Mason School District. That generated the confidence to land a paying job at Franklin Pierce School District.

“I am struggling, but I have hope,” the 66-year-old Huffman said.

Now she serves on the organization’s board.

“I don’t want all I suffered to be for nothing,” she said. “I want to help.”