Youths and families enjoy fishing on a sunny, warm day at Jacobson Park for the 2025 Lexington Take Kids Fishing Day.
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance and
SMART Local 110 Host Record-Breaking
Take Kids Fishing Day in Lexington
By PJ DelHomme
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) hosted a free, public Take Kids Fishing Day event at Jacobson Park on Saturday, May 17. Over 50 young anglers from various communities and backgrounds learned about the importance of fishing and conservation thanks to International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 110.
Eight union volunteers from the sheet metal workers were on hand to provide kids and their parents with instruction and assistance, and all registered youths received a free fishing rod and reel. These events are part of a series of free, community-based youth outreach events organized under USA’s flagship conservation program, Work Boots on the Ground.
This year’s event saw the highest turnout yet, with about 60 fishing poles given away and every young participant getting a chance to fish. Even though a tornado rolled through earlier in the week, that didn’t deter anglers and their families.
A family spends time together fishing at Jacobson Park during the 2025 Lexington Take Kids Fishing Day.
“The weather held out for us,” said Jeremy Waugh, a SMART 110 organizer who has worked the event for seven years in a row. “It was sunny and beautiful.”
The increased interest this year was thanks to expanded local promotion and strong word-of-mouth in the community.
“This year, parents were really excited about what we were doing. They were asking how they could volunteer and help out next year,” Waugh said. “We used to have leftover poles, but this year there were none. The turnout was epic.”
Anthony Adams, SMART 110 organizer, reflected on the spirit of the event.
“It’s always fun seeing the kids spend some time outside with parents or grandparents. You have a wide range of kids—some have fished before, and some are brand new. That’s usually the highlight: seeing families learn together.”
“The other cool aspect is that when inexperienced people have issues, other anglers step up to help,” Waugh added. “It’s great to see random people want to help each other out. That’s what this event is all about—community. One mom told me her daughter had been begging to go fishing, and she was so proud to see her daughter try something new!”
A father prepares a fishing rod and reel for his son at the 2025 Lexington Take Kids Fishing Day. Each youth participant took home a free rod and reel.
Adams emphasized the union’s commitment.
“We do this every year. As sheet metal workers, this is our way to give back. People have even tried to hand me cash, but this is our gift to the community. If you want to support, donate to the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, but this is us giving back.”
Despite the fishing being “hit and miss,” everyone left with a smile.
“It doesn’t matter the weather—people always come out,” Waugh said. “Last year it was cold and rainy, and people still came. It’s a labor of love for us, and we look forward to it every year.”
