Free fishing and filleting

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Published on Thursday, February 19, 2015

By Hall Sveistrup

Twenty-four youngsters and their chaperones (grandparents, parents or older siblings) celebrated Louis Riel Day, Feb. 16, in a novel way by participating in an ice-fishing outing, hosted by Rivers and Area Game and Fish Association on Lake Wahtopanah.

Upon arrival each child received a homemade wooden fishing line holder, equipped with a length of ice fishing line, tipped with a colourful jig head, donated by the fisheries branch of Manitoba Water Stewardship Services, and a live minnow. A myriad of holes had been drilled and cleaned by association members. Only one fish was caught; five-year-old Logan Hall had left briefly to warm up, and handed his rig to Bonnie Heudebourck, who snagged a two-foot northern pike. Association member Ron Taylor provided filleting services so that Logan and Bonnie could enjoy fresh pike for supper. 

After the outing was over, youngsters were given the fishing rig, along with a measuring tape. At 12 noon, all participants were served barbecued hot dogs, homemade cookies and hot chocolate. The purpose of the event was to provide an alternate way of spending the holiday, and to introduce young people to a healthy outdoor winter sport.