Event’s debut brings neighbours together for fishing, food, parade; many call it a summer highlight
On Saturday, Aug. 15, residents at First Eel River Lake participated in the first-ever annual fishing derby and boat parade.
Brent and Karla Saunders are the organizers of the event. The idea came to her last year after noticing how much her oldest grandson loved fishing with his Grandpa. She discussed a potential lake-wide derby with her grandsons, and from that point on, she didn’t want to let them down.
“We’ve seen how our oldest grandson loved fishing. So he and his Grandpa last summer went out all the time in the aluminum boat. I said, we should organize a fishing derby for everybody on the lake. I didn’t want to disappoint,” said Saunders.
Last fall, she brought the idea up to some residents, who supported it. In the spring, she began approaching local businesses to be potential sponsors.
There was a total of 31 boats entered, and around 140 participants. Each team was assigned one of four officials, who reviewed the rules and distributed 36-inch wooden rulers for measuring fish.
Check-in was at 8 a.m. Attendees enjoyed donuts and coffee supplied by Fens Market and Woodstock A&W. With sponsor funds, Saunders also provided water and juice.
The derby ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and was followed by an award ceremony. First place went to Dock Rockers, second place went to W.W. Hooker and Crew, and third place went to The Reel Deals.
Winning teams were given a trophy & medals, including the children on the teams, who received smaller medals.
“It was so good. Everybody was saying how well it went, and they were happy to be able to touch base with people they knew, but also to make new friendships,” said Saunders.
Aggcon, one of the many sponsors, donated money for expenses, porta-potty, and the barbecue, which was used for the post-derby barbecue.
After three hours of fishing, people enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers, donated by the Woodstock A&W, as well as chips and pop.
They were also sponsored by J.T. Holdings, Off The Wall Graphics, Saunders Electric, Montieth Heating, Stockford Reefer, Pampered Chef – May Atkinson, Exp Reality-Jenna MacMillan, Todd’s Machining and a few families that chipped in too.
“If it wasn’t for the sponsors, it really wouldn’t have taken place. We might have thought of the idea, but an idea is just an idea unless you have a group of people willing to sponsor and carry it out. If we didn’t have everybody that helped along the way, it wouldn’t have happened,” said Saunders.
In the evening, there was a boat parade with 16 boats. The parade floated along the entire length of the lake so all residents could see.
Saunders said people were telling her it was the highlight of their summer. She plans to keep the derby going as a new First Eel River Lake tradition.
“Kids are already asking, ‘Are we doing it next year.’ We want to do it next year. Some kids are saying they’re putting it on their summer bucket list,” said Saunders.
