Photo Karen Graham.
Brook trout being dropped into the pond in anticipation of the annual Fishing Derby last year.
This popular event is one of the highlights of the season when the community gathers around the Mill pond to celebrate the arrival of spring. Hosted by the Millbrook Lions Club in partnership with Trout Unlimited, last year the event drew more than 250 registrants. The group is preparing for 300.
The event is for participants up to age twelve and runs from 8 am to 1pm. The $2 registration fee includes a hot dog and juice box. A few days before the contest begins, the pond will be stocked with 250 brook trout, allowing the fish time to acclimatize to their new surroundings and find some local companions who have arrived by more natural processes. Among them will be Millie, the elusive star that has evaded anglers during many competitions. Along with three large companions, Millie will be tagged. Any angler who snags one of the tagged fish will earn a prize, with other prizes awarded to anglers who display good fishing practices.
The funds for the fish purchase was raised through a silent auction held last month during the Lions’ Spaghetti Supper, which was promoted with a poster featuring a cheeky fish created by local artist Bill Slavin. This year Bass Pro Shops and Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance have stepped up with significant financial donations. Inflation has hit this event, but thankfully more than $1100 was raised through the silent auction to help pay for the stock fish. Organizers would like to recognize prize donors including Baxter Creek Golf Club, Millbrook Valley Animal Hospital, Blank Canvas Hair and Art studio, Millbrook Winery, Dan Woodward’s Garage, the 4th Line Theatre, Millbrook Mercantile, Andy Stevenson, Moody’s Bar and Grill, French’s Beef, Rolling Grape Vineyard, Clarke’s Café and Robert Hiseler who made the event so successful.
Members of Trout Unlimited and the Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance will be on hand during the event to help support the educational initiative which is now the focus of the event. Both held take out dinner fundraising events through SKH Catering where the community piled on to the opportunity to purchase Chicken Souvlaki dinners with all the fixings. There is still an opportunity to support this event by purchasing a souvlaki dinner for the April 6th date. Place your order no later than by April 4th by email at skhcatering@sympatico.ca or by calling 705-768-9697. Act fast, they sell out early!
Those who are interested in doing a bit of fishing homework prior to the event are encouraged to visit www.ontario.ca/page/learn-fish-digital. Learn about different kinds of rods, reels and bait, how to cast, how to identify different types of local fish- the good, the bad and the ugly- and test your knowledge in an interactive fishing quiz.
Both the Millbrook and Bewdley Lions Club Food Trailers will be on hand to keep energy levels up with hot food items including Peameal on a Bun, Hamburgers & Hotdogs, and Bewdley’s famous fries & poutine. Bring your appetites and stay for the fun.
Anglers at this event are strategic in their site selection. Keen competitors find a secluded spot where their bait will not have excess competition and they can focus on executing the perfect cast. The less competitive anglers will see the event as an opportunity to hang with their friends. Whatever their motive, participants and spectators will find it a wonderful opportunity to come together to spend a (mostly) peaceful spring morning at one of our community landmarks. KG
