Page 13 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 87

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #87 February 2020 13

Wishin’ I was Fishin’...

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

Grenville Fish and Game Club Hosts 22nd

Annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby

By Molly Kett

n Saturday, February 29th, the
OGrenville Fish and Game Club
is set to host the 22nd Annual Pike
Ice Fishing Derby, a fishing event that
has been a staple in the community
for many years.

The event is sure to be an exciting
one, with a $100 prize for the largest
pike in a two-hour window, $50 prize
for the second largest, and $25 for the
third. Of course, there’s also the $100
prize for the heaviest pike at the end
of the day.
“You know how at some derbies at
7AM someone catches an 8 lbs
pike and then for the rest of the
day until two o’clock everybody
loses energy?” says Organizer Lynn Photo Submitted
Holmes. “To combat that, this event
gives money in intervals. It’s kind of moments over the years, and Holmes do that!’ Now, the guy that owns the If you’re looking to get your entire
like starting over and over again to laughed as he recalled some of the marina lets us do it all inside. He family involved, the event will be
keep the excitement up.” fond memories. opens up the bays, we wrap up inside giving out free hot chocolate, and
there and in the parking lot. It’s a lot holding a perch derby for the kids,
Although this is the 22nd year, “I remember one year when we better,” says Holmes. giving out a free fishing rod to the
Lynn Holmes says it should be more first started, we had this thing that we first twenty-five attendees under 12
like the 26th edition, but they’ve had got from the firemen and we’d fill it He also remembers how different yrs. old.
some cancellations over the years full of water and the pike would swim the St. Lawrence River looks now
due to lack of ice. “It’s on the St. around in it so we could save the fish. compared to past winters. “We like it to be a family event and
Lawrence River and the thing about But one year, the tent with the water “I remember in the olden days it some people don’t want to drag their
the derby is it’s kind of like a different in it kind of went right through the was ice shacks galore out there all the kids out at 5 o’clock in the morning,”
derby every year,” says Holmes. ice,” says Holmes. time. Nowadays, there are so many says Holmes. “You can show up at
“[The event] has been as big as 300 He also recalls doing the weigh- portable shacks. The day of the derby 8:30 and still fish for the rest of the
people, but when we lose the ice it’s in at the end of the day on the ice. there are portable shacks everywhere, day, so it gives you the opportunity to
like the event starts over. Last year “Everybody gathered around in but the day after, they are gone,” says make it a family friendly event, too.”
we had 180 people and this year we one spot and literally the water Holmes. “It’s a whole different thing For more information on where
might reach 200 or so if there’s ice. If was coming over our boots and the compared to what used to happen you can get your tickets, or for
we lose the ice, we lose the people. It ice went down and the water went when everybody had their plywood more information on what else the
seems to work that way.” through the drilled holes and we and boxes and everything you needed Grenville Fish and Game Club

The event has had its funny thought, ‘Okay, that’s last time we to make an ice shack.” is up to year- round, visit: http://
grenvillefishandgame.com.

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