The conditions are icy, so the fishing might be dicey.
That’s the warning from organizers of the Orillia Perch Festival, which kicks off Friday night with opening ceremonies.
“Continuing cold weather and mixed precipitation conditions for the start for this year’s 38th annual Orillia Perch Festival have made many wonder if anglers will be able to be fishing on the first weekend,” said event director Doug Bunker, who was on his way to festival headquarters at Tudhope Park to shovel snow.
He noted many area boat ramps are closed because of ice and snow that has piled up, restricting access.
“Ice has also badly damaged the boat ramp at Smith’s Bay across from Perch Festival headquarters at Tudhope Park,” said Bunker.
That means the perch will not be as active.
“When their oxygen is deprived, they slow right down,” Bunker explained.
These conditions are the worst Bunker has seen at the start of the festival.
“We’ve had some ice,” he said, “but not so much the snow and ice that is blocking access.”
It has also prompted Bunker to issue a plea for safety.
“This could be dangerous. I say that, too, because some people think they can still walk on the ice,” he said. “The recreational fishermen enjoy (the festival), but I don’t want to put them in harm’s way. To the hard-cores: Be careful.”
The festival will run until May 12, so Bunker has suggested recreational anglers consider waiting until conditions improve.
Those who do take part will have a shot at some valuable fish. Sixty-five tagged perch will be released into lakes Couchiching and Simcoe. Five are worth $1,000 each and the rest are worth $500.
Organizers are asking anglers to help catch perch to be tagged for the festival. Those who lend a hand will be entered in a draw for $100 worth of fishing gear. Interested anglers are asked to supply 10 perch that are about 10 inches long and deliver them to Blue Beacon Marina on Atherley Road, on the southeast corner by the Narrows bridge. They should report to the marina manager between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Friday’s opening ceremonies at ODAS Park will start at 7 p.m.
