Conceived in 1977 by Walter Burns, a “Lifetime” member of the Piscataqua Fish and Game Club, Inc., the first “Fishing Day for Handicapped Children” was held in May of 1978.

It was held at the “Canning Factory Pond” on Portsmouth Ave. in Greenland, NH with approximately a dozen volunteers, three schools and donations from area businesses and organizations. Over the years the name was modified to be politically correct to include more children. As many as 130 children attended our largest fishing day. Upon Walter’s Passing, it was decided unanimously by the club, to rename the fishing day in his honor for the work and dedication he bestowed upon the children of the area, I do not say the seacoast area, because children as far away as Concord, NH have been in attendance. The children’s ages range from 4 and 5 year olds, to as old as 15 years old. Attendance is not limited to children in schools, as we welcome all Children with Special Needs to the “Walter Burns Memorial Fishing Day for Special Needs Children”.

We have been holding fishing day for 39 years now, 3 of which we were rained out. After losing use of the pond where we held the fishing day for 22 years, we have been allowed the use of “Sanderson’s Pond” located at 682 Post Road, Greenland, NH, by the Sanderson family. This will be our 18th year at this location and our 40th annual fishing day. We hope this will be the continuation of a wonderful tradition.