John Mowat’s local fishing derby was small when it launched in 2016. First promoted through flyers posted at local businesses, the derby drew in 27 pre-teen anglers and their parents on the first Saturday of July. The families would soon discover it was as much a competitive activity and learning experience for the children as it was a social activity for the parents.
“Nothing much happens on our lake, so I just thought this would be a good community event to get all the mothers and fathers sitting on the dock and chatting,” says John. Why not make the activity water-centric, he thought. “Fishing just seemed like the obvious choice.”
Fishing 101: A guide for beginners
The event isn’t so small anymore. With the sixth annual derby in summer 2023, John and his newly formed committee, Friends of Eagle Lake, had 59 participants. The group has graduated to using a Facebook page to promote the event, run by a young couple who recently joined the committee. “That has really spread the word about the event and made a big difference,” he says.
Participants can fish as early as they want in the morning, but they have to return to the Eagle Lake Narrows Country Store dock by noon for weighing. John and the other committee members then host a quick barbecue and a social event for participants and parents alike; sponsor donations help pay for the celebration barbecue and provide the prizes.
Ice fishing for beginners
This year, it was 13-year-old Alfie who won first shot at the prize table. (He earned it: he almost got pulled out of his boat while reeling in a three pound, two ounce bass. It’s around double the average weight for the lake’s fish.) He chose a $150 fishing rod from among items such as tackle boxes, pool noodles, and water guns. Forest, 11, got second prize for catching a total of four pounds across his top three fish. But no matter what they catch, every participant gets to take something home after John pulls their name out of a hat.
“Kids love it: they’re all munching on hot dogs and pointing at things on the table, hoping nobody takes that one, or that their name gets pulled soon,” he says. “It’s really worthwhile for me to see the kids when they come up to pick a prize. I like seeing the excitement on their faces.”
This article originally appeared in the Sept/Oct 2023 issue of Cottage Life.
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