Wheelin' Sportsmen Day At Vesuvius Lake

[ballparent]

A great program and day for many local residents.Wheelin’ Sportsmen Day returns
Staff report

Saturday, March 15, 2008 9:48 PM EDT
Staff Report

PEDRO - The fifth annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen Fishing Day is scheduled for April 3, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Wayne National Forest Lake Vesuvius recreation area boardwalk off Hwy 93, approximately one mile on Lawrence County Road 29 (Paddle Creek Road).

This annual event is in its fifth year, put on through a partnership that includes the South Hills Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Wayne National Forest, Ohio University Southern Nature Center, Lawrence County Bass Club, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The Lawrence County Commissioners issued a proclamation naming April 3rd “Wheelin’ Sportsmen Day.”

More than 5,000 Ohio residents who are physically challenged enjoy hunting and fishing, and many of them live in the Lawrence County area.

Wheelin’ Sportsmen, a NWTF outreach program, seeks to provide individuals with physical challenges opportunities to participate in fishing, hunting, bird watching, and other outdoor pursuits.

“The first four Wheelin’ Sportsmen events at Lake Vesuvius were such a success that the Division of Wildlife agreed to provide trout this year for the fifth event,” said Buddy Fry, former president of the NWTF Ohio State Chapter. The Division of Wildlife will release its annual stocking of rainbow trout into the lake at approximately 11 a.m. on April 3.

Robert Burcham, Ohio State Chapter vice-president, said, “There are a lot of people who like to fish but haven’t been able to do so for many years because age or disabilities have kept them from getting out and enjoying the lake. All of that has changed now since the accessible boardwalk was built.”

Lake Vesuvius is a regional recreation attraction on the Ironton Ranger District of the Wayne National Forest, with picnic shelters, camping areas, boat rentals and lake access, and a swimming beach.

In 2003, the Forest Service completed construction of a one-third-mile-long boardwalk over the water between the boat dock and the dam. Built with a gentle grade and safety railings and benches, the handicap-accessible boardwalk makes it possible for persons of varying abilities to fish at the lake or just get out and enjoy the views it provides.

Kari Kirschbaum, Ironton Ranger District wildlife biologist, noted that the Wheelin’ Sportsmen event is possible only through the partnership of the participating organizations. “We are pleased to host this special annual event at Lake Vesuvius for the fifth year,” she said. She added, “This partnership demonstrates what folks working together for a common cause can accomplish. None of us alone could have produced an event of such quality, but together we are successfully serving folks with special abilities.”

Jim Adkins of the Lawrence County Bass Club noted that the annual event gives people of all ages an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing.

“The Bass Club is proud to be a partner in making this event happen for the community,” he said.

Interested participants should contact the Wayne National Forest’s Ironton Ranger District at (740) 534-6531.

[Bassmaster]

This is a great program

http://www.wheelinsportsmen.org/wheelin ... TE=wheelin

[ballparent]

I agree Bassmaster. Something our area can be very proud to offer. Here's a link to the Vesuvius Lake area.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/recreation_sites/ves_recreation.html

[ohbuckeye2]

This is an awesome event. Did they stock the lake with trout this year?

[ballparent]

This event is tomorrow and they will be stocking trout tomorrow also.