Family ice fishing tourney Sunday
A free, family-friendly ice fishing tournament this weekend in Welland came about as a “crazy idea,” says its organizer.
“My nephew had been bugging me to take him to an ice fishing tournament,” says Brandon Seguin.
“There are a few on Lake Simcoe and one in Hamilton at a conservation area and we just haven’t been able to get to any of them.
“I had a crazy idea to do one for fun on the Welland (Recreational) Canal and made a post on Facebook to see if others would be interested.”
Seguin says the idea received agreat response.
“To be honest, I’m kind of nervous over how much interest has been shown,” he says.
The tournament, to be held by Welland International Flatwater Centre, takes place Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Facebook event page dedicated to the tournament can be found at https:// bit.ly/2V0X1IH.
Seguin says many people have expressed an interest in being part of the tournament, which is not a competition, just a day of free family fun.
He plans to set up his own fishing huts on the canal, which he says is easily a solid 15 centimetres thick, for people to use.
“I’ve been fishing on the canal for the last month and a half.”
He says the rain and snow the area has seen will have formed more ice on top, but he plans to check it every day until Sunday to be safe.
“As long as it’s at least six inches, I’ll be happy to have the tournament go.”
The only thing that would stop it would be high winds, like those that came through south Niagara Wednesday, blizzard conditions or rain.
Though the tournament is free, Seguin says adults can put in $10 and children $5 for a cash payout at the end for the biggest catch, biggest perch and biggest unexpected catch.
“You mostly catch perch, sunfish, bluegills, pike, bass and goby. But we have caught walleye and rainbow trout in the canal.”
Seguin plans to drill holes in the ice so families can just show up and start fishing. He’s hoping to have a bait sponsor for the event, too. Anyone who wants to help him out can call 289-6874135.
People can show up Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Fishing starts at 9 a.m.