The Orillia Perch Festival is set to test the waters this weekend under new ownership.
Earlier this year, the Competitive Sport Fishing League (CSFL) took over the reins from the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce. The CSFL also owns and operates the Toronto Fishing Show and several bass fishing tournaments in the province.
"The Perch Festival has always been directed more for kids than it is for adults," explained event director Andrew Pallotta. "That's very important to the future of fishing."
Pallotta, who has participated in the Perch Festival in years past, says it's known as a kickoff event for the season. He says the CSFL doesn't plan on changing anything that has made the festival one of Canada's largest registered fishing derbies.
"We don't really want to make it different," he said. "We are just trying to enhance the best parts of it."
Now in its 42nd annual year, the Orillia Perch Festival changed its format several times over the last few years to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions.
"We've had meetings with guys like Doug Bunker and other guys who have sat in those positions going back to the very beginning to figure out what makes the event tick," Pallotta said. "We've kind of picked the things that we thought were the most successful in making the event attractive."
This year, the live weigh-ins, social media, and the tagged fish components of the event are returning.
"We are bringing them all together at the same time," Pallotta said. "We are trying to bring all three of those things together to create that energy that I feel kids need nowadays."
Pallotta is hopeful anglers will brave the forecasted rain to enjoy the festival this weekend.
"We hope that we will get a lot of residents and other people who come for a day trip to have some fun," he said. "The perch population is over the top."
Pallotta reminds anglers to be "conscientious" about how many perch they keep.
"It seems like they are getting bigger and bigger every year," he said. "There's a 50 fish per person limit, but I recommend people take what they think a good feed is and put the other ones back in the water."
Pallotta hopes the Perch Festival will bring families closer together this weekend.
"I think it should create memories," he said. "At our tournaments, we often hear people say that it was their first tournament fishing with their grandchildren or children, those are the things that make you feel good."
Pallotta says fishing is about getting kids away from their screens and out in fresh air.
"Especially when it comes to perch fishing, you don't need any fancy equipment," he said. "You can probably dig up Grandpa's rod and reel and stop into a store to get a little pack of worms and you will be successful at it."
There are several major prizes up for grabs this year including a Lund Boat WC12, a Mercury Marine 9.9 outboard and trailer. There is also an Old Town Sportsman 120 kayak, and cash prizes for anyone who catches one of the 100 tagged fish which can be caught over the next two weeks.
Tickets for the Perch Festival for adults cost $25, and children 15 and under are $10.
"We are really hoping to grow this in the future and make it that much greater and grander," Pallotta said. "We are really excited."
All participants must be registered by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday evening. To register, click here or visit Trombly's Tackle Box on West Street South.
"Even if you can't make it this weekend, get your kids fishing," Pallotta said. "Create those memories that will last a lifetime."
