ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Fish and Game Association (SPFGA) saw a great day of fishing during the Alphonse Tremblay Memorial Fish Derby on Feb. 20, drawing people both young and old to the Family Day event.
In addition to fishing, participants also had the opportunity to warm up at the gazebo with hot chocolate and hot dogs while sharing a good laugh, said Dave Doonanco, president with SPFGA.
The top prize in the adult category went to Denis Plouffe, who reeled in a 33-centimetre catch. Second place went to Juliette Tremblay, Alphonse Tremblay’s wife, with a 32-centimetre catch, and third place went to Tony Fontaine, with a similar 32-centimetres catch.
In the youth category, Ryker Robinson took home first place with his 38-centimetre catch, while the second place went to Kieran Huser, with his 33.5-centimetre catch. Third place in the youth category went to Keo Bruneau, with a 31.5-centimetre catch.
It was a great day out on the ice, according to Doonanco, who was pleased with the turnout and the level of participation this year, with around 50 people participating.
“The weather turned out really nice.” He added that people who have never fished before also showed up. "It was nice to see a smile on their faces when they caught a fish.”
Doonanco thanked all the volunteers who helped out with the event, along with those who participated. He also thanked Warehouse Sports for sponsoring the door prizes for the fishing derby.
The Alphonse Tremblay Memorial Fish Derby is named after a long-time member of the SPFGA. Tremblay initiated the Family Day fishing derby at the Town of St. Paul’s trout pond. The derby was renamed by the SPFGA upon Tremblay’s passing a few years ago, as a tribute.
