The Brechin and District Lions Club is looking to reel in some Family Day weekend fun later this month.
The third annual Ice Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, Feb. 18; fishing licences are not required on this day for those participating.
“It gets more people out and involved in the sport,” said organizer Derrick Patrick. “Once you catch your first fish, you are hooked for life.”
Last year, the derby saw 80 participants and raised $8,000 for the Lions Club. Patrick says the money was used to help 29 local families during the holiday season.
“These are people who were really struggling,” he said. “They needed heat in their house and food on their table.”
He is hoping for 150 participants this year and says anglers are chomping at the bit to get out on the ice after a mild start to winter. In Brechin, he says, there is sufficient ice for about a mile out from shore, and after that it becomes sketchy.
“It’s supposed to start getting cold at night now,” he said. “We are hoping the ice is going to get a little bit stronger.”
Patrick says people from London, Bancroft and Hamilton have inquired about the derby this year, which is more than welcome as funds also help support youth soccer, baseball, Brechin Public School, Foley Catholic School, Uptergrove Public School, Rama Central Public School, and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.
“These fundraisers are huge,” he said. “During the pandemic, we were down to $100 in our bank account to help out, and after having our golf tournament this year and the fishing derby, we are going to be back on track.”
The derby needs some community support for prize donations.
“We want to be able to give people something for supporting,” he said. “We need gift cards, cash donations, or things to raffle off.”
Registration for the derby costs $45, which includes dinner at Lagoon City Pier One Resort, a chance to win $1,500 in cash, and door prizes. Those interested can register or support the event at the Brechin Feed Mill, Brechin Point Ice Hut Rentals, Brechin Timber Mart, or by calling Patrick at 705-340-1082.
Weigh-ins for both the whitefish and lake trout will be held at 5 p.m. at Brechin Point. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three in each category.
