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Annual Fishing Derbies Attract Record Number of Participants |
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Written by Uniacke Heritage Society
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The weather was excellent and the absence of black flies and mosquitoes made this year's angling event a tremendous success.
Bonny Lea Farm Group
A total of 345 mentally and physically challenged anglers and caregivers from sixteen organizations, located in Central Nova Scotiaand extending to Greenwood and Bridgewater, participated in the four day special derby held on June 3rd to June 6th at Mount Uniacke. Fisheries Minister Ron Chisholm was present for the June 5th activities where he assisted novice anglers in catching speckled trout. The Minister also presented Certificates-of-Participation to representatives from Bonny Lea Farm. Canadian Parapegic Association members from as far away as Upper Granville also attended the activities. Heritage Society members and 18 community volunteers from Mount Uniacke adn as far away as Cheverie, under the guidance of Fishing Derby Chairman Charles Moore, assisted in making these four days a memorable occasion for many special-needs persons and their counselors. All participants were provided with fishing tackle, personal supervision on the lakeshore barrier-ree boardwalk and assistance in catching a maximum of five trout. When not busy with fishing rods and reels, participants were treated to hot dogs and beverages prepared and served by six attendants at the on-site canteen. The week end Family Fishing Derby, held on June 6th and 7th, attracted over 600 adults and youth from metro and rural areas. Many youth and adults experienced their first opportunity to land a speckled trout and also to boast about the large one that got away. Twice daily draws were held for the numerous adult and youth prizes available to all registered participants. Fifty-three commercial businesses and privte citizens from the local and adjoining communit9ies contributed towards this year's fishing derbies. Over 4000 speckled trout were placed in Murphy Lake for these special events and hundreds remained in the lake after the derbies for the benefit of all recreational anglers during the entire sport fishing season. The Uniacke Heritage Society, in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Department of Natural Resources, RCMP and dedicated community volunteers, has ortganized and hosted the annual sport fishing derbies since 1996.
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