Free family fishing derby this weekend

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Ready your fishing rods and tune your tackle as Tillsonburg’s free family fishing derby is this weekend.

The derby starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, at Lake Lisgar. There are lots of prizes, including some for participation. Registration is open until 11 a.m., and all fish must be weighed in by noon.

For those who aren’t regular anglers, the timing of the derby coincides with the province’s free fishing week, meaning a license isn’t required for adults. Normally, adults require a license to fish, but those under 18 do not.

Rosemary and Mike Dean took over the derby 12 years ago after the Kiwanis Club, which they both belonged to and had organized the derby, folded.

“We did it with our kids and didn’t want to see it go by the wayside,” Rosemary said.

Anglers often catch largemouth bass, perch, trout, sunfish, and rock bass in Lake Lisgar. Rosemary said although they don’t encourage it, someone always catches a turtle. There are categories for the largest catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, most accumulated fish, and most unusual catch.

“Whether it’s an old Coca-Cola bottle, or whatever, if people catch something bizarre, bring it in,” Rosemary said of the latter category.

There are first, second, and third-place winners in each category. Fish are evaluated by length, not weight, and the derby is strictly catch-and-release.

“We tell people to bring them in as soon as they catch them,” Rosemary said. “We provide pails until we run out.”

The majority of the prizes are aimed at youth. Often, even if the adults are fishing, it goes under the name of a youth they are fishing with. But that doesn’t mean that adults can’t enter.

“We want the whole family, grandpa, grandma, whoever to come out and enjoy the day, enjoy our beautiful lake,” Rosemary said.

A kayak is amongst the top prize, along with fishing poles, tackle and general outdoors items.

SuppaSwirl will be on site and donate kiddie cones to all participants. The Rapid Relief Team will be barbecuing hot dogs for participants as well. The OPP Auxiliary will be roaming around the lake talking to participants about water safety.

“It’s watching those families making memories, the kids learning about water safety, the different fish, that’s what the day is all about,” Rosemary concluded.