Fishing derby a huge success
Forty years and counting. That’s how long the Port Morien Wildlife Association has been holding kids fishing derbies. For the past ten years, these events have been completely free thanks to the generosity of local organizations, business and private individuals who monetarily support this endeavour.
This project is supported year in and year out by N.S. Inland Fisheries and Fraser Mills Fish Hatchery that provides us with the permits needed and the allimportant fish.
Our organization has been the recipient of a wellness grant for the last number of years from the East C.B. Community Health Board. Other local organizations that support us are both the Port Morien and Birch Grove Volunteer Fire Departments as well as the Birch Grove Development Association.
Local business support was received from H. Hopkins Ltd, JL Syms Towing, Jack’s Place, Mike’s Lunch, Fitzgerald Automotive and Clarks Burner Service. Cape Breton Strutters a chapter of the Canadain Wild Turkey Federation donated a cache of prizes that were distributed. Individual donations were received from Karen Peach, Dave Ferguson and Reggie Amadio. Lastly the propane used to do all the cooking that was done to feed approximately 250 people was provided free by Lawrence Gilbert.
Every kid that registered for this derby received a free lure or bobber and a handout pamphlet from Fraser Mills Fish Hatchery. Prizes were awarded in four categories with rods and tackle being won.
Like every other successful project, none of this would be possible without the time put in by all our volunteers who are too many to list. They know who they are, and they like myself, get their reward by seeing the look on a the faces as they approach the registration site to have their fish weighed and recorded or by seeing the look on the four old’s face who won first prize overall this year with a 3 lb. trout.
To all who contributed and donated to this event, the Port Morien Wildlife Association extends our deepest heart felt ‘thank you’ to all!