BELWOOD – It’s almost time to put out the “Gone fishing” sign.
The Belwood Lions Club is planning its annual Pike Derby in May and the time to register is now.
Gordon Hufnagel, co-chair of the derby, said the club is optimistic that for the first time in two years, the derby can go forward, given that COVID-19 restrictions are lifting.
“Up until three weeks ago, we didn’t know if we could hold it or not,” he said in an interview on March 14.
“There’s still lots to be worked out. But we’re plowing ahead on the assumption we can do it.”
The derby will be held May 28 and 29 on Belwood Lake. And, for the first time, there will be a walleye tournament as well.
First prize for longest pike is $2,000; the longest walleye angler wins $1,000. There are also prizes for second, third, and fourth longest fish in both categories.
The longest pike at the 2019 derby was 27 ¾ inches long but Hufnagel said he’s seen longer than that over the 40-year run of the derby.
There will also be raffle and draw prizes.
The derby runs from 6am to 8pm on the 28th and 6am to 4pm on the 29th. Awards are given out at 4pm on the closing day.
“Some come for one day, some for two, some for just a few hours,” Hufnagel said.
“But there are a lot of die-hard anglers out there. We usually get more than 500 people registered.”
In an effort to encourage fishing among the younger set, there’s also a competition for youth aged nine to 14.
They pay a lower entry fee and have their own prizes for longest pike and walleye. And for kids under nine, entry is free and every child takes home a gift.
Reel Canadian Anglers is providing a number of fish-rod combos that will be given to young fishers while supplies last.
“The phrase ‘tackle box, not X-box’ underlines our motive in encouraging fishing activity,” Hufnagel said in an email.
This is a catch and release contest. Hufnagel said the pike population has diminished over the years and the walleye has taken off, which is why they added walleye to the derby this year.
Measuring stations will be set up at the dock at Belwood Hall and the dock at Highland Pines campground.
Belwood Lake belongs to the Grand River Conservation Authority and it, as well as the OPP, will have officers on and around the lake to check registrations and boat safety equipment.
So make sure licenses are current and safety equipment is in the boat too, he said.
For the past two years, all the Belwood Lions have been able to do for fundraising is collect empties – and that has raised just $8,000 to $10,000 a year.
So club officials are hoping this derby will bring in some serious money, which the club will donate back to community projects and charities.
They understand it might take a year or two for the derby to ramp up to pre-pandemic levels but they also know those who love to fish, love this derby.
Registration costs $45 for adults, $15 for youth, and free for children under age nine. Raffle tickets go for $5 apiece.
Full details and registration can be found at www.pikederby.com.
The club is also offering in-person registration at Belwood Hall beginning on the evening of May 27.
