There'll be lines in the water all over the region this weekend. Father's Day is like B.C.'s unofficial fishing holiday, so the weekend has a boatload of fun scheduled for the community.
There's no statutory day off, but there is official provincial government support for the Father's Day fishing initiative. This year, like many past years in growing number, has free fishing all weekend. From Friday through Sunday, most licenses can be obtained free of charge.
"Family Fishing Weekend lets individuals and families try fishing without having to purchase a licence," said a statement issued by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C., along with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. It continued saying, "If you've never fished before, or haven't been fishing for a while, attend one of the approximately 50 free events that will be held around the province. Events are supported by the Family Fishing Society and organized by Fish and Game clubs, the Conservation Officer Service, municipalities, community groups, and local businesses."
There are two such events in the Prince George area. On Saturday at 6 p.m., the Spruce City Wildlife Association will release new rainbow trout into Shane Lake at Forests For The World. This family-friendly event happens at 6 p.m. with free hotdogs served. Shane Lake is a popular in-city shoreline fishing location.
Saturday is also when the local branches of Scouts Canada hold a fishing derby on West Lake from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The proceedings are based at Camp Hughes (21970 Blackwater Rd.). Anyone with a boat is asked to put in at the West Lake Provincial Park boat launch then come over to the camp by water. Anyone intending to fish from the shore can simply park at the Camp Hughes parking lot and come down to the water's edge to join in.
"We hold this annual derby for all our Scouting sections but we put it out to the local community as well," said organizer Sarah Elliott, who added that the Scouts numbers have doubled in Prince George in the past few years. This is the fourth fishing event in a row they've held on the Father's Day weekend.
"The West Lake Community Association is aware of the derby, and the public can join in," Elliott said. "We have four prizes: one for the first catch, the most unusual catch, the most fish caught, and the longest fish. Then we follow that up with a hotdog barbecue at our beautiful camp. We also invite people to look around at Camp Hughes, we have done so much in the past few years to restore it back to public use. We are very proud, it is a very special place."
There is no cost to take part in the fishing, but the Scouts ask that members of the public intending to take part to please email their intentions to [email protected] in order to have enough lunch available.
Whether you take part in one of these organized events or just head out to one of the many local lakes and rivers, Father's Day weekend is a reel opportunity to cast new memories between fathers, kids and the whole family together.
The rest of the country catches up later in the month. Canada's National Fishing Week runs from June 30 - July 8.
