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Hooks to hit the water for Cowichan Lake fishing derby May long weekend

Rainbow and cutthroat trout beware!
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Rick Harris and Wayne Winters know a thing or two about being fishing derby winners. (Gazette file)

Fishers rejoice, it’s time to break out that tackle box and hook a big one!

The Cowichan Lake and Bear Lake Fishing Derby is taking place alongside the Family Heritage Days long weekend festivities May 21-22 and along with giving folks the pure joy of getting out on the lake, the event will help support the Kinsmen’s Duck Pond project.

“It’s going to be an annual event,” said Grant Treger, manager of Lake Cowichan Fly and Tackle. The first was back in 2019 but the sophomore derby was put on hold until the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

“It’s a fundraising event. This year we’re doing it for the Kinsmen and their project,” Treger noted, adding that next year it will be for another charity and the year after that for a different cause and so on.

Treger said he anticipates upwards of 100 participants hitting the lake for the event.

Sponsored by Mar Inc. and Lake Cowichan Fly and Tackle, derby tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for youth under 16.

They’re available at Lake Cowichan Fly and Tackle, Tipton’s Gar Bar and via email (general.lcflyandtackle@gmail.com).

A first prize of $1,000 is up for grabs with $500 going to the second place winner and $250 for the third overall. There’ll also be prizes for youth aged 1-12 and 13 to under 16 as well.

Those getting their tickets prior to May 16 will be entered into an early bird draw, too.

The weigh station will be at the Riverside Inn from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday with the wind up dinner and awards, door prizes and more, at the Inn on 4 p.m. Sunday.

Have questions? Call Cowichan Fly and Tackle at 1-250-932-3909.



Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
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