They might not all catch a fish, but every youngster who enters the Children’s Fish Derby at the Alexander Hamilton Trout Pond on Sunday will win a prize.
“Everyone wins,” said Pow Wow Association board member Neil Timm, one of the derby’s organizers.
The catch and keep event, permitted with a special licence, is a great way to introduce youngsters to the sport of fishing, and to teach them about the best practices when it comes to handling fish.
“It’s a great way to introduce the kids from the area to a safe, organized fishing event,” said Timm. “We want the kids to learn about safety and respect for the waters and the fish.”
Registration for the tournament begins at 9 am on Sunday with fishing starting at 10 am. The event will go until 1 pm. Young anglers who manage to snag a lake trout or a jackfish will enter their catch by weight.
There is a two pike or two trout limit — but there’s no limit to the fun, says Timm.
“It a great time for families to come out and relax with the kids,” he said, adding that community sponsors and supporters have rallied behind the event as well. “We’ve had some great support from the community. It’s really great to see.”
A bike for pike or trout no doubt
One of those supporters is local Ace Hardware store. Owner Tony Marczak said he donated a youth bicycle as the grand prize to the derby because it’s going to a great cause.
“We want to support another local event. It’s something our family has been doing for the last 60 years,” said Marczak. “It’s for the kids.”
Marczak said fishing is something that most youngsters grow up doing in smaller communities and it’s good to support it.
“Fishing is part of my life, and part of kids growing up around here for hundreds of years.”
The grand prize winners will also receive a trophy for their big fish.
Other individual prizes at the event have been donated by local sponsors, including local businesses, individuals and the local Fish and Wildlife office.
— Registration 9-10 am at the trout pond —
