A"stampede" of 450 members turned out for the 50th anniversary of Chicago 458M's Fishing Party, the local reported.

Local 458M Rep. Bill Ruby, who with Dennis Anderson and a local committee organized and put on the Fishing Party, said the party was one of best-attended local parties in more than 20 years. "Normally, about 200 hundred people attend the spring Fishing Party," he said. "We knew this one would be well-attended from the amount of tickets sold by the shop stewards and at the union."

"We wanted to get people who had never been to one before and we succeeded," Ruby said. "We used 42 tables available at the hall and still had some members sitting in the balcony, which is something we haven't seen in years."

Ruby said that Local 458M's Fishing Party began a half century ago with a group of "gung-ho fishermen. It evolved into a spring party that kicked off the fishing season and a fall party that ended it. During the season, people send in affidavits with photos of their biggest catches in 22 categories of different fish. Then at the fall party, prizes are awarded to those catching the biggest fish in those categories." This year the fall party, which the local is calling "50th Anniversary – Part 2," will be held on Oct. 28.

"We still call it the Fishing Party," Ruby said, "but probably half the people don't fish and just come for the party."

Ted Jagman, left, receives the grand prize from Chicago 458M Bus. Rep. Bill Ruby.

Helping to attract members to the event, held at the Teamsters Local #705 Hall, was the food that included hundreds of pounds of thuringer sausages, potato salad, cole slaw, herring, and pizza.

There were raffle prizes worth more than $3,000 donated by more than 50 area employers, suppliers, and unions, including the International.

Top prize winners included Ted Jagman, a retired member, and Lou Graf from Lehigh Cadillac. Jagman won an overnight stay and dinner for two at the exclusive Geneva Inn in Lake Geneva that was donated by Clarence Schawk of Schawkgraphics. Graf won a fish charter for six people on Lake Michigan that was donated by Captain Rich Pegau of Revere Graphics.

Ruby said Local 458M is proud that its Fishing Party is one of the longest-running social events among GCIU locals and still attracts a good portion of its membership. "It bolsters our union spirit and fosters camaraderie to spend time together just having fun," he said.