Page 7 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 146

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #146 March 2025 7

Wishin’ I was Fishin’...

19442 Hwy. 2, SUMMERSTOWN Tel. 613-931-1443 • www.rogersmarina.ca

with Jake Lapierre

By Molly Kett to mind, like skipping school with
a buddy when we were 13 or 14,
or 66-year-old Jake Lapierre, grabbing our fishing gear, and
Ffishing is more than just a hobby, heading out to the Raisin River in
it’s a way of life. A lifelong resident Lancaster to catch some late spring
of Eastern Ontario, Lapierre has perch,” said Lapierre. “Fishing in St.
spent decades casting lines and Lawrence with a friend in his fishing Photo Submitted Photo Submitted
creating memories, whether along the boat, catching a bucket of perch and
shorelines of the St. Lawrence River pulling up on a shoreline, frying up
or on frozen lake during Alberta’s the fish over a campfire for a tasty
frigid winter. shore lunch. Or on the pontoon on his wife, and their two daughters, Looking ahead, Lapierre has his
“I love fishing because I enjoy the a nice sunny day on the water with (Jakes granddaughters), all headed sights set on trying fly-in fishing in
outdoors,” said Lapierre. “Whether family, and my youngest brother out together to Buffalo Lake for a northern Ontario.
on a shoreline along a river or lake, always managing to catch more fish weekend of ice fishing. “We geared “For anyone wanting to try fishing
on a boat with family, or on the ice in than the rest of us.” up with an insulated popup ice hut, for the first time, I would say that,
a hut, fishing is an enjoyable, relaxing One of his most memorable fishing gear, a small wood stove, if possible, go fishing with someone
pastime.” adventures came earlier this year several layers of clothing, and with some experience. Also, check
Lapierre’s earliest fishing memory during the Big Jack Classic, an ice everything needed to be comfortable out online videos for helpful tips and
is from childhood, when his father fishing tournament held at Buffalo for a couple of days of fishing. locate a fishing spot that is easily
introduced him to the sport. Lake in Alberta. “It was just by chance that we accessible,” said Lapierre. “Be sure
“I was 7 or 8 years old when my “My son Phillipe contacted me located a great spot on the lake to to follow the area fishing rules and
dad took my brothers and I spring asking if I would be interested in set up our hut. Fish were active, and regulations guide. Free family fishing
fishing along a tributary feeding into joining him for a northern pike ice fishing was great; it was exciting and weekends are available in Ontario
the St. Lawrence River near Westley fishing tournament,” Lapierre says. “I lots of fun,” said Lapierre. and are great opportunities to get out
Creek,” recalls Lapierre. “We fished said sure; sign me up! So, in the time Phillipe won first place in the and do a little fishing.”
with bamboo poles, lines, hooks, of year when most folks are going tournament with an 86.4 cm northern For Lapierre, fishing is about more
worms, and bobbers. It was a real thrill south to escape winter, I’m in central pike and granddaughter placed third than the catch.
seeing that bobber dipping below the Alberta where an arctic freeze settled in the youth under 17 group with a 75 “Fishing is a great activity to relax
waterline and pulling up a perch or into the region sinking temperatures cm northern pike. Lapierre pointed and enjoy with kids, relatives, and
sunfish on the end of the line.” into a frigid -42°C to do some ice out, “She caught a bigger fish than the friends. It’s an opportunity to tune
Since then, Lapierre has created fishing.” one I caught!” work out, create great memories,
countless memories on the water. Lapierre’s family decided to make The tournament attracted over 340 and just enjoy the outdoors,” said
“Several great memories come it a family event. His son Phillipe, anglers.” Lapierre.

19442 Hwy. 2, SUMMERSTOWN Tel. 613-931-1443 www.rogersmarina.ca
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