New Fishing Wharf for the West Arm

After seven years of planning, fundraising, permits, and construction, Procter has a new fishing wharf. Thanks to the initiative and hard work of the West Arm Outdoors Club, the new walk-on only wharf, on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, is open to anglers. The Wassick Memorial Wharf honours the memory of long-time club member Red Wassick, who was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper, and musician.

“This wharf is specifically designed for fishing,” said project lead and Outdoors Club President Gord Grunerud. “We especially want to encourage more fishing by the kids, so they have the same opportunities to access the water as we did when we were younger.” There is no boat moorage at the new wharf.

The wharf was officially opened August 20, 2016 and was donated to the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

“The Club raised more than $90,000 to plan and build the fishing platform,” said Rick Morley (pictured), FWCP Board Public Representative and West Arm Outdoors Club Treasurer. “But the total cost of the project was more than double that when you take into account the donated materials and time, and countless hours the Club members volunteered toward constructing the facility.”

The FWCP provided funds to help install an educational sign about the life-cycle of the Gerrard Rainbow Trout.

The new fishing platform, which is wheelchair accessible, is open to anyone to use, and is located at the end of Wharf Road in Procter.

Sept. 1, 2016