Virginia Fed Nation fixes up Philpott Lake

The new facility will benefit anglers and boaters alike

Photo courtesy of Carl Smith

Representatives from seven organizations have teamed up to build a new facility at Virginia’s Philpott Lake.

By Tyler Reed

The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia (BFNV) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have signed a partnership agreement with four other groups to construct the Twin Ridge Tournament Facility on Philpott Lake in Franklin County.

Current boat ramps at Philpott are not specifically designed to accommodate the numerous tournaments that occur on the lake. Congestion at a ramp during a tournament can make it difficult for anglers to get their boats in and out of the water quickly. The same congestion also may deter pleasure boaters who otherwise would head to the lake on a tournament date.

The new facility, designed for fishing tournaments, will feature a large mooring dock, a launch/retrieve dock, a picnic shelter and restroom facilities. Additional parking will be located at the current Twin Ridge boat ramp off Church Knob Road in Franklin County, near the geographic center of the lake.

The project is expected to be completed by March 1, 2012.

“The new facility will give tournament anglers docks so they can moor up while they’re doing their weigh-in, which they don’t have now,” said Mike Bryant, BFNV president. “Currently, they have to take their boats out of the water while they’re trying to weigh in.”

“This is going to be a great facility for Philpott Lake,” said Craig Rockwell, operations manager at Philpott Lake, who added that it will benefit tournaments, boaters and everyone else on the lake. “It will make it much more convenient for everybody. It’s one of those projects that’s been a pleasure to work on because there’s no negatives. It’s all been positive responses.”

“It’s been a rare privilege to work with members of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia,” added Rockwell. “Without their endorsement and funding assistance, this project may not have been possible.”

The organizations that entered into the agreement with BFNV were the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; Anglers Choice Marine; and the County of Franklin, Virginia.

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