ST. PAUL - The Alphonse Tremblay Memorial Fish Derby is scheduled to take place on Family Day at the St. Paul trout pond - one of many activities taking place that day to keep families busy.
The Family Day fish derby is being hosted by the St. Paul Fish and Game Association and is named after Tremblay, who was a long-time member of the SPFGA and began the Family Day fishing derby at the Town of St. Paul's pond, explains SPFGA president Dave Doonanco.
"In his honour, we carry on the tradition for the same reasons that he started it - and that is to give people, young and old, an opportunity to get out and enjoy the sport of ice fishing," says Doonanco.
Because the event is held over the Family Day long weekend, it is open to everyone as no licenses are required by the provincial government to fish over the weekend.
"People who want to come out and enjoy the day at the pond and try to catch a fish only need to bring their fishing gear. We will auger the holes and provide the bait. We will have coffee and hot chocolate available along with hot dogs," says Doonanco.
There will even be a chance to win prizes, like ice fishing rods, tip-ups and filleting knives.
Even those who have never tried fishing and would like to can stop by. Organizers will have a limited number of ice fishing lines rigged up for them to try their hand at.
When asked if the event will go on, even in extreme temperatures, Doonanco says there is no cutoff temperature set in stone, and a fire will be going at the gazebo, along with a heater in an ice fishing tent down at the pond to help keep everyone warm.
The St. Paul trout pond is located near the Iron Horse Campground, east of the St. Paul soccer fields.
