It鈥檚 a wrap for the community Fishing Programs at the Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association.
The members were kept busy with the Fishing Forever Program for the first two weeks of June. Visitors from local senior residences and homes and groups who live with challenges each enjoyed a morning fishing for trout in the stocked pond and then enjoyed their lunch together afterwards.
Caregivers and members assisted them with casting, reeling and netting. If catching a fish wasn鈥檛 a highlight enough, it was the race to reel the fish in before the otters stole the fish. Even those who did lose fish delighted in the battle with the otters and the odd eagle. The BC Wildlife Federation provided fridge magnets and stickers to the participants of the Fishing Forever Program.
The BC Family Fishing Weekend was held on June 14 and 15, Father鈥檚 Day weekend and saw a crowd of enthusiastic anglers out to try the sport. Volunteers provided fishing gear and bait and other members were on the wharves providing instruction and assistance in netting or detangling. It was great to see the many families with children come out and go home with fish and smiling faces!
Several fishing rods were handed out to youth compliments of the Freshwater Fisheries. We had many repeat anglers including one boy who had received a free rod a few years before. When his rod went missing for a time, CDFGPA offered him a new one; but no, that was his first rod and he only wanted it. Fortunately, his rod was located and he was very happy.
Many thanks to Thrifty Foods (Crown Isle) for coming out on Father鈥檚 Day to provide free hotdogs and beverages to the hungry anglers. Also thank you to Gone Fishin who provided all the bait and tackle for all of the Fishing Programs and to Freshwater Fisheries Society for providing the 2000 trout for the pond as well as fishing rods and tackle giveaway. Last, but not least, huge appreciation to the members of CDFGPA who volunteered their time for two weeks ensuring everyone had a good time fishing!
