When this website started in 2001, I envisioned that I would contribute to the recreational fishing community by putting on an annual event that promotes responsible fishing practices, conservation and watershed stewardship. We accomplished that between 2003 and 2012, by hosting
"Fish for the Future" in Steveston. The last few years, after our son arrived I had to take a break because there wasn't time to keep doing this, plus the City of Richmond seemed more interested in developing housing than promoting fishing.
This year, with the support from Tourism Chilliwack and Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, I will be reviving an event which the Fraser Valley Salmon Society used to host many years ago. It's called "Chilliwack's All About Fishing", and it'll be hosted from 9am to 5pm on Saturday March 12th at the Chilliwack Heritage Park (the big red barn buildings you see at Lickman Road exit on Highway 1). We are inviting everyone, whether you are young or old, a novice or advanced angler, to come out, learn about fishing opportunities in the Fraser Valley, exchange ideas, and more importantly to have fun.
I've invited all of my colleagues in the industry, experts in a particular fishing discipline, members of various fishing organizations, to come out and host demonstrations on different fishing techniques, etc. The event floor will be 15,000 square feet, so it is quite big! There'll be a large area set up for single and double hand fly casting, fly tying stations for you to try tying your own patterns. There'll be two dozen stations set up to cover topics like jig tying, sturgeon fishing, bar fishing in the Fraser River, river float fishing, lure fishing for steelhead, rod building, lake fishing boat setups, etc. There'll also be a section dedicated for watershed stewardship and conservation, where you can get information from groups such as Steelhead Society of BC, Fraser Basin Council, Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition, etc. DFO and province's conservation officers will be on site to answer your questions. Finally, there'll be lots of activities for the smaller kids too, including fish fighting simulator and arts & crafts.
PRIZES!Everyone who come to the event will have a chance to win the big prizes. These include:
- $250 Gibbs-Delta Tackle gift package
- 4 hour guided Fraser River sturgeon fishing trip for two people from Great River Fishing Adventures
- 1.5 hour Harrison River eco boat tour with prestige Sportfishing
- Birthday party for 15 kids at the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery
- $100 Bent Rods salmon jig kit
- $100 gift certificate at Chilliwack Dart and Tackle
- $100 gift certificate at Fred's Custom Tackle
- Scotty fishing rod holder and transducer mount
- Humminbird PiranhaMAX 197c DI fish finder
Please check out the website for complete details:
http://www.fraservalleysalmonsociety.ca/all-about-fishing.htmlAn event page has been set up on Facebook for those who are on there, you can go ahead and RVSP and save it so it is in your calendar:
https://www.facebook.com/events/206694289675306/If you have suggestions or would like to help out at the event, please let me know by email
info@fishingwithrod.com. See you all on March 12th!