Family Fishing Derby brings kids, parents together at Lake Lisgar
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Peyton Beattie caught the most fish Saturday morning during the annual Cops and Kids Canadian Tire Fishing Derby organized by the Tillsonburg Kiwanis Club at Lake Lisgar, and supported by various groups including the Tillsonburg Knights of Columbus.
Beattie weighed in 46 fish, edging out Landon McGowan (31) and CJ Watters (23) for the Most Fish prize.
Largest bass prizes went to adults Rob Rogers, Shawn Beaumont and Gord Underhill (the largest being 19.25 inches long), and kids Kendra Underhill and Kristopher Weigel.
"Smallmouth bass," noted Kiwanis Club's Mike Dean.
Perch were in shorter supply with Mark Donald taking the adult division, and Corey Hornish, Kenny Coyle and Peyton Corriveau the kids.
"Not many perch – there were only about 15 perch caught today," said Dean. "But there was a lot of sunfish."
Emma Chevers caught the lone catfish, and Hailey Vollmeerschavar took the Most Unusual Catch award bringing in a turtle.
"One turtle," Dean smiled. "If you fish for them, there's some good-size catfish in there. There was one catfish caught today and I think it was 15 inches long."
The surprise of the day, he said, was rainbow trout. Not one was brought one in.
"With all the fish we've stocked here through the Lake Lisgar Revitalization, I'm really, really surprised that no trout were caught. We've been stocking it for the past three years, through Lake Lisgar Revitalization from private donations and service clubs."
The main goal Saturday, said Dean while handing out prizes, was not most fish, biggest bass or most unusual catch. It was parent-child time.
"Parent-child time where parents spend some time with their kids. That's the whole purpose – it's all about the kids, and getting families back together with their kids."
The derby was 100 per cent free, Dean noted, and 100 people registered for it.
"There was a grab bag for every child that registers," he added. "And we had over 30 prizes."
Cops and Kids derbies happen annually during the Canada-wide National Fishing Week, July 5-13 (www.catchfishing.com), which coincides with the Ontario Family Fishing Week. For one full week, Canadian residents can enjoy the fun of fishing in Ontario without the need of a licence.
Saturday's derby was co-sponsored by Fishing Forever, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding worthwhile fishing, conservation and education projects. It was also supported by the Kiwanis Club of Tillsonburg, the PAO, Canadian Tire, and Oxford County OPP, and Tillsonburg Knights of Columbus.