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It’s the time of year when little villages of huts suddenly appear on rivers and bays all across the South Nation watershed. Inside those shacks are people pursuing their favourite winter pastime – ice fishing.
Chances are, you’ve always wanted to try your hand at it, but where do you start? Since your adventure begins with drilling a hole through the ice, it’s best to learn from experienced ice fishermen who already have the equipment and knowledge required.
South Nation Conservation and the Wendover Knights of Columbus are joining together to introduce adults to ice fishing at the 2011 Knights of Columbus Wendover Council Family Ice Fishing Tournament, Saturday February 19th in Wendover, near where the South Nation meets the Ottawa River.
In the new “SNC Learn to Fish” zone, volunteers from the Knights of Columbus will teach you everything you need to know about ice fishing. Bilingual “Learn to Fish” instruction will take place between 10am and 2pm.
“Learn to Fish” sessions are free. Lines & bait are supplied, and holes will be already drilled for you. Because it takes place during a family license-free fishing weekend, you don’t need a fishing license! All you need to do is dress warmly for a day on the ice.
Limited space is available, so participants must be pre-registered in advance. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Wendover Council hosts two fishing tournaments each year, the Annual Wendover Walleye Classic each June and an ice fishing tournament in February. Over the years, the tournaments have made substantial donations to a variety of charitable causes.
This year’s tournament will also feature fishing instruction for kids. In association with Bob Izumi’s Kids, Cops & Canadian Tire, there will be a special kids fishing area set up on the bay from 10am – 2pm. Holes will be drilled & instruction will be given to the kids. Participants must supply lines.
The tournament runs from 6 am to 6 pm. The entry fee is $15 for adults, which includes a spaghetti supper at the end of the day. Kids under 12 fish for free. Registration takes place on the day of the tourney at the registration shack on the ice.
Ice fishing is not only a fast-growing recreational activity, but also an important economic generator for the region. According to the most recent Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada, 214,000 anglers spend 1.65 million days ice fishing each year in Canada.
For more information, contact: Gord Shaver, (877) 984-2948 Ext. 296
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