Kids of all ages wet their lines Saturday at a youth fishing event at the Wolftever Creek Boat Ramp on Chickamauga Lake outside Chattanooga. Hosted by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and United Auto Workers Local 42, the free event celebrated a new courtesy pier and restored fishing pier at the site.
Youth received a complimentary fishing rod and reel provided by Pure Fishing, and some got the chance to catch their first fish with bait provided by Jack’s Bait & Tackle of Chattanooga.
A dedication ceremony following a picnic-style lunch recognized union volunteers from UAW Local 42, Electrical Workers Local 175, Ironworkers Local 704 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 5, who donated approximately 400 hours to improve public access to Chickamauga Lake.
“Chickamauga Lake is one of the top bass fishing lakes in the country and a major attraction for anglers and boaters. UAW Local 42 was thrilled to help a new generation enjoy this valuable resource through today’s event,” said UAW Local 42 President Steve Cochran. “The smiles on kids’ faces and the pier dedication were the perfect culmination to the hard work of the 67 union volunteers who made this project possible.”
Wolftever Creek Boat Ramp is one of the area’s most heavily used public accesses to the lake.
Through the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program, union volunteers demolished a dilapidated courtesy pier and replaced it with a 104-foot-long, handicap-accessible floating pier to provide year-round public access. Volunteers also replaced damaged and unsafe decking and the top rail of a fishing pier adjacent to the boat launch, where kids fished during Saturday's fishing event.
Materials for the project were purchased with $10,000 raised by UAW Local 42 and $22,000 from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
“Access to Chickamauga Lake is a major draw for Harrison Bay State Park, so we are very grateful to the union volunteers who installed the new courtesy pier and refurbished the fishing pier at Wolftever Creek Boat Ramp to benefit both local residents and visitors to the area,” said Harrison Bay State Park Manager Don Campbell.
"Working with union partners and industry allies including Pure Fishing and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the USA promotes and protects the sport of fishing nationwide through a variety of mentorship, outreach, public access, research and fisheries enhancement projects," officials said.
“The pier project and youth fishing event are a great example of a team effort to preserve America’s outdoor heritage,” said USA CEO and Executive Director Scott Vance. “Thanks to UAW Local 42’s leadership, all the union volunteers, TWRA, Tennessee State Parks and Pure Fishing, we were able to improve public access to Chickamauga Lake and actively engage kids of all ages in the wonderful tradition of fishing.”
Little girl goes fishing for the first time with her dad from a pier refurbished by union volunteers