Family Fun on the Water with the Union Sportsmen Alliance annual 'Take Kids Fishing Day'
It was a great day on the water for first timers and seasoned fishers alike as the annual Union Sportsmen Alliance 'Take Kids Fishing Day' events were held in Wisconsin.
Fishing events were held at Chad Erickson Memorial Park in La Crosse, Vilas Park in Madison, Braun’s Bay in Eau Claire, and Traxler Park in Janesville.
With help from local Wisconsin labor councils and building trades councils, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Work Boots on the Ground ‘Take Kids Fishing Day’ events gave hundreds of Wisconsin children the chance to enjoy the thrill of baiting hooks, eating a picnic lunch, taking home prize giveaways – and reeling in some nice fish!
The Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO, the Greater West Central Area Labor Council, the South Central Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, the Western Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Southern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council donated poles, bait, and a light lunch for kids as well as volunteered their time and angling expertise to teach the next generation how to fish and responsibly enjoy the outdoors.
Tyler Tubbs, president of Western Wisconsin ALF-CIO and an event organizer in La Crosse, said even the smallest catch can get a big reaction.
"I love seeing how the kids take to fishing. They catch even the smallest fish and they think it’s the biggest thing in the world,” said Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Tyler Tubbs. “Something so small can create so much joy. It makes putting the time in worth it 100%."
Over 50 kids signed up in La Crosse and hundreds more in Janesville, Madison, and Eau Claire were able to participant thanks to the generous sponsorship and volunteer efforts of local union members.
Dave Branson, Executive Director of the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin, organized the event at Vilas Park and agreed that kid reactions make the event fun for the whole family.
“When kids pull up their first fish, they’re all very happy to do it and they get very excited with it,” said Branson. “Our union volunteers are experienced fishers and they are out here to help kids learn how to put bait safely and correctly on the hook and help cast out so hopefully kids can have the best chances to catch a lot of fish.”
Greg Erickson, of the Western Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, helped organize the Braun Bay’s event. “It’s a great community event and a great way for union members to give back. Union volunteers pass on proper fishing techniques so the next generation can enjoy the outdoors safely. Everyone, young and old, had a fun time and that was our goal.”
These free events are staffed entirely by volunteers from the labor community and are a prime example of the value of introducing youth and their families to a healthy, outdoor pastime and the value of union members in our communities. A union-made picnic lunch was provided.
Rob Potter, Southern Wisconsin Building & Construction Trades Council President, provided some behind the scene details on how union members prepare for this union-made community event. In Janesville over 88 kids and 22 union volunteers participated.
“A lot of time and effort goes into pulling it off,” explained Potter. “From separating worms so each kid has their own individual pack, to assembly fishing poles and organizing food and beverage for everyone – it is dedicated union men and women volunteers who believe in the conservation of outdoors and want to get the next generation involved that make this great event possible.”
Local News Cameras Caught Some of the Fun
WKOW: Free Fishing lesson for kids at Vilas Park
https://wkow.com/news/top-stories/2019/06/01/free-fishing-lesson-for-kids-at-vilas-park/
WXOW: Eighth Annual “Take A Kid Fishing Day”
https://wxow.com/news/2019/06/02/eighth-annual-take-a-kid-fishing-day/
La Crosse Tribune: Take Kids Fishing Day is Sunday in La Crosse
News 8: Free La Crosse fishing event for kids has a new location this year
View more photos from Take Kids Fishing Day events around the state at the WI AFL-CIO Flickr page.
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