Bass fishers weigh in in Sydenham

Jul 30, 2014

Fishers in a competitive derby are never apt to give away too much information about where they landed their catches. That was the case for two fishers who weighed in at the Sydenham Legion's Bass Derby, which took place on July 26 and attracted over 150 participants.

Legion members Garnett Van Luven and Bob Stinson weighed the catches of fishers Tik Ostopovitch and Scott Bowes, whose fish each weighed in just a smidge under four pounds. Both men, not surprisingly, refused to name the lakes where their fish were hooked but Tik did offer up the fact that his fish were caught “with a worm”.

The Sydenham Legion Fishing Derby was organized by Legion members Scott Morrison and Brent VanLuven and was brought back again this year after running on and off for many years previously. Kate Lett, the newly elected Sydenham Legion Branch 496 president, said the stops and starts of the derby were because it takes a substantial number of volunteers to organize it, and that it was possible to bring it back this year because “a number of eager members were willing to take on the responsibility of gathering the prizes, doing the advertising, selling the tickets and finding all of the other necessary volunteers to perform all of the other jobs that it takes to run a derby.” Participants could fish on any of the area back lakes and the winners were based on the weight of their single largest catch. Prizes were donated by local area businesses and individuals and the first place prize was a Glider 55 pound thrust Shakespeare trolling motor. Other prizes included a number of coolers, life jackets, fishing gear, sport clothing and numerous gift certificates from area businesses.

The Sydenham Ladies Auxiliary put on the lunch at the derby. Lett said she was pleased with the turn out and hopes that the event will become an annual one again, which is good news for bass fishers everywhere.

Funds raised from the derby will help pay for the upkeep of the Legion hall as well as help support a number of programs in the community including the lunch program at Loughborough Public School and Southern Frontenac Community Services.

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