Derby celebrates the outdoors
June 05, 2008 |
The Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby, sanctioned by the B.C. Family Fishing Society, takes place on Saturday, June 14th.
Put down your video game and pick up a fly rod. That’s what the Fraser Valley Salmon Society is hoping to achieve next Saturday at their annual Pikeminnow Derby. The derby, held on the annual Family Fishing Weekend, is hoping to draw a younger crowd to the event by keeping ticket prices low and offering lots of stellar prizes.
“This year we are trying to interest younger people in the exciting sport of recreational fishing,” said Frank Kwak, president of the Fraser Valley Salmon Society. “We want to get them away from their computers and online games, get them off the streets and get them outdoors and active.”
Tickets for the event are only $2 for youth 15 and under, and $5.00 for adults.
“The ticket prices are so low, and the prizes are so great, that everyone will be re-compensated for their ticket price anyways,” said Kwak.
This year organizers have upped the number of prizes to include 50 spinning rod packages, 50 fly rod packages, a trip for two to the Langara Fishing Lodge and tons of others.
There is also a $700 donation from Shaw cable that provides free cable connection and Shaw service for a year that will be awarded to the winner in the adult category.
Kwak emphasized that it’s a great weekend to try fishing for the first time as it’s the only time of year when a fishing license isn’t required.
Other fun activities will be taking place including face painting, games, and stick on tattoos matched with plenty of cotton candy, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
There will also be six jet boats to take kids out on the lake to fish with the help of a guide. It’s free and is first come first serve, so Kwak advises getting there early.
“It’s targeted more for families that don’t have boats, or don’t have the money to rent boats, like single parent families,” said Kwak.
This year the derby has been renamed Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby to honor the late Greg Clark, who organized the event over the past few years. The Clark family have donated a large memorial trophy that will be awarded to the junior that catches the largest pikeminnow, and will be put on display in various tackle shops.
The family, many of which will be flying in from Calgary for the event, have also donated Greg’s favorite fishing gear. They are hoping to give it to someone who enjoys fishing but can’t afford the costs of buying the gear.
Along with promoting outdoor activities the derby also has an ecological benefit. It is an attempt to save the Cultus Lake sockeye, which are critically endangered.
“Pikeminnow are known to pray on young Cultus Lake sockeye, so this event is also trying to eradicate the pikeminnow,” said Kwak.
Pikeminnow live to be about 25 years old and can weigh anywhere from two to four pounds said Kwak.
“The pikeminnow are feasting on a very fancy fish,” added Kwak.
The Greg Clark Memorial Family Fishing Derby, sanctioned by the B.C. Family Fishing Society, takes place on Saturday, June 14th. The event starts at daybreak, with weigh in at 2:00 p.m. and the prize ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Fred’s Custom Tackle and at Chilliwack Dart & Tackle.
awray@theprogress.com