http://thechronicleherald.ca/southshorebreaker/1570685-fishing-derbies-fun-for-everyone
This week’s column is all about opportunities for you to get your kids out fishing under a supervised environment. First of all, the stocking program that I told you about in a recent column is now in full operation. Once again, the website for that information is www.novascotia.ca/fish/sportfishing . My wife and I were out and about on Saturday and saw plenty of people fishing recently stocked lakes. I had said earlier that these lakes are easily accessed; we saw an old fellow fishing from the tailgate of his truck at one of the stocked lakes.
This is the time of year when many organizations sponsor kids fishing derbies all along the South Shore. Many of these are for children under 16 years of age. They are all free and most have age group competitions and prizes. All the lakes and ponds are supplied with trout from the hatcheries, so there is a good chance that your kids will catch a fish or two. If nothing else, it is a great way to spend a morning outdoors with your kids. Most derbies have many knowledgeable volunteers available to help you out if you have any questions or have gear trouble.
Fishing derbies are a great way to introduce and encourage children to be in the outdoors and enjoy a day of fishing. Four such derbies are listed below:
May 26: Sponsored by the Nova Scotia Guides Association and White Point Beach Lodge. Meet at the boathouse at White Point to register. Fishing is at the Five Rivers estuary. Registration is from 8-8:45 a.m. and is free, the fishing derby is 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Shore lunch and prizes awarded from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Boathouse/Lakeside bonfire pit. For more information, contact 1-902-354-2711.
May 26: Municipal Activity and Recreation Complex (MARC) in Dayspring. Sponsored by the LaHave River Salmon Association and the Lunenburg Municipal Recreation Department. Register and fish from 9 a.m. to noon at the MARC ponds. For more information, contact 1-902-541-1335.
June 2: Nova Scotia Guides Campground, 396 Hibernia Rd., in Hibernia. Sponsored by the Nova Scotia Guides Association. Register at the campground from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and fish the First Christopher Lake from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, contact 1-902-356-2498.
June 2: Alvin Lake on Highway 3, Shelburne County. Sponsored by the Shelburne County Fish & Game Association. Registration at the lake and the event goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are multiply prizes and a barbecue. For more information, contact 1-902-637-7583.
June 2: Fishing tournament for families and individuals. You do need a boat or canoe and there is a registration fee. The event is held on Wallace Lake and is sponsored by the Italy Cross Middlewood Fire Department. Register at the firehall . For more information, contact 1-902-543-9564.
I am told that the derbies run rain or shine. At the kids derbies there will be lots of folks to help you if you are new to the sport.
Each year the province has two weekends when fishing licenses are not required for adults. The spring free weekend is June 2 and 3. This is a great time to give fishing a try at little or no cost. Along with this free June 2 weekend, many organizations, especially fire departments, will have some kind of fundraiser around fishing. The other free weekend is for winter fishing and the dates are Feb. 16-18.
I would also like to give you a heads up about new rules and regulation that will kick in over the next few weeks. These rules apply especially to rivers in our region. I will highlight them next week. In the meantime, check your Anglers’ Handbook before heading out to fish.