33 Tight Lines Bulletin - Spring 2016 MIAPBC Launches Paddlefest Our friends at the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County are producing a new event geared towards paddle sports enthusiasts called Paddlefest. The free event, produced in partnership with the City of West Palm Beach, will be held at Currie Park on Saturday, May 14th , from 9am to 5pm. The Palm Beach Paddlefest will feature exhibits and demonstrations of inter- est for kayakers and paddle boarders from some of the best paddle sports businesses in the region. This event will cater to paddlers of all skill levels. The event will also feature space for like-minded apparel, accessory, and health and wellness companies. There will be live entertainment, plus a variety of food and beverages for purchase. Attendees can sign up for guided kayak tours, or par- ticipate in several demonstrations throughout the day. There will be a 'paddle valet' for people who want to paddle to the event and leave their equipment in a safe and secure place while they browse the exhibits or grab a bite to eat. For more information, visit www. palmbeachpaddlefest.com. Your West Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPB- FC) has sent a letter of support for the Chain of Lakes Blueway Trail boat lift project at the C-51 spillway (a.k.a. the Lake Worth Spillway).  The project is being proposed by the Town of Lake Clarke Shores, in partnership with the City of West Palm Beach, other agencies and community organizations.  The plan will ex- pand small boat access to the Chain of Lakes and the Lake Worth Lagoon by building a small boat lift and staging area on the south side of the water control structure at Spillway Park. Theproposedliftwillaccommodateves- sels approximately 25’ and under with a maxi- mum height of 5.5 feet above the waterline and a 3.5 ton maximum weight.  Maintaining public fishing access at this location has been the WPBFC’s primary concern when first learning of this project. The Lake Worth Spillway is one of the premiere snook fishing spots in Florida.  As of this writing both fishing piers at the spillway are closed due to safety concerns related to deteriorated decks, hand rails and pilings.  Earlier this year, the Fishing Club helped coordinate a meeting with snook fishermen and project planners to provide input on how new piers could be designed to improve fishing access and functionality.  “It really needs to be designed to avoid conflicts with boaters and fishermen who are casting lines, or throwing cast nets.  We want to make it a safe place for everyone,” commented veteran snook angler Mark Hightower who has spent decades fishing the spillway. Hightower, who is an engineer by trade, has been selected to serve as a volunteer on a project subcommittee that will provide design input.  The first priority is to get the old piers repaired and open again. The timeline for the repairs is uncertain and remains very concerning. Mean- while, the WPBFC, along with knowledgeable stakeholders like Hightower, will continue to work with the project partners on designing new piers that actually improve the fishing ex- perience. A snook release platform, functional railings, improved lighting, and the addition of a filet table and wash-down area are some of the features being discussed.  Right now even the public bathrooms are closed at the park because of issues with vagrants.  “The project has the potential to improve Spillway Park for all users, not just fishermen and boaters.  We urge the Town of Lake Clarke Shores and its partners to seek input and continue to work closely with anglers, boaters and area residents to design a quality project that is viewed as an asset to the community,” added WPBFC President Tom Twyford.  Project elements such as improved walkways and lighting should help make the park a safer place for everyone.  “Look what happens if we don’t do anything. We will have to keep dealing with periodic closures of the piers.  Right now the positives of this project proposal far outweigh the negatives in my view,” added Hightower. The WPBFC will continue to stay engaged on this issue.  For more information on the project visit www.bluewaytrail.com. Spillway Boat Lift Project Update Both fishing piers at the spillway have fallen into disrepair and are currently closed.