By Kelly Burgess,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Ever since Brent Moore was a young boy, he loved to fish. Fortunately, his grandma lives in Pike Bay where Brad Hazzard’s Annual “By the Bay Fishing Derby” happens every Labour Day Weekend. This year, the derby ran from Thursday, September 2 until Sunday, September 5.
This is Brent’s sixth year in the derby, and along with his wife Val and their 4-year-old son Isaac, they had a great experience fishing all weekend. Even though Brent enjoys fishing in other areas of Ontario, he enters this derby because he grew up fishing here. “It’s where I grew up as a kid, where I caught my first fish. It was right off of my Grandma’s dock,” he reminisced.
Not So Many Pike in Pike Bay
This year Brent caught mostly Smallmouth Bass and Perch which are commonly found in the Bay. Other types of fish that can be entered into the derby are Salmon, Trout, Largemouth Bass and of course Pike. Brent said in his experience the Smallmouth Bass are the most common fish in the area. Even though the area is named Pike Bay, Brent explained, “Pike is probably the least number of fish in this area.”
He explained that there are different strategies to use depending on the type of fish you are trying to catch. “It is a very different scene up here; you are on Lake Huron, part of the Canadian Shield, it’s very rocky so there are a lot of Small Mouth Bass up here.”
Promoting Community and Family
Brad’s Annual Fishing Derby draws families from all over the area to get out and enjoy some fishing together. “It’s all about the kids having fun,” emphasized Brad. A young participant by the name of Carson Spurgeon from Stokes Bay came out for the Derby, his first time, and on his first day caught a good size Perch. Cameron was very excited to be a part of the derby and used worms as bait in order to be successful.
The fishing derby isn’t just a wonderful outlet for avid fisherman, it promotes a sport that encourages young people to get outside and enjoy nature. “The derby brings the community together and promotes fishing for the kids rather than video games,” explained Brent. He has been bringing out his son Isaac to fish and next year hopes to bring his younger son Maverick out too.
With an estimated 300 people fishing in the Derby there was a large number of fish caught over the weekend. The beautiful weather also helped make the derby a success. “Everyone had a fantastic time,” Brad verified.
