Murphy Lake welcomes hundreds of anglers during annual fishing derbies

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

The sun was shining over Murphy Lake last week as more than 300 special-needs persons and their caregivers, along with members of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, cast their lines during the annual fishing derbies.

For the past 13 years, The Mount Uniacke Heritage Society has hosted the week-long event to give all members of the public an opportunity to fish for free. The barrier–free lake was well stocked with speckled trout earlier in the week and participants were able to catch their limit in record time.

Pam Bateman of the Dartmouth Adult Service Centre said the vocational agency has attended the derby for more than a decade. “It’s always a great time; our clients really look forward to it,” she said.

Friday, June 6 was the first time Allan Pearce had attended the event in several years and he was happy to return. “It’s nice to get out and meet different people,” he said. He caught his limit in just under half an hour and reeled in the biggest catch that day. “It’s fun to jig them back in,” he said.

Batemen said they couldn’t have asked for a better day. Even for those that didn’t fish, she said it was a wonderful opportunity to get out and enjoy nature. “I can’t say enough about the volunteers that make this possible. They always make this such a special trip for us.”



Theme this year: ‘Take a child fishing’

Society President Ken Isles said they apply for a special angler’s license each year for that population and welcomed agencies from all over the Valley and metro area throughout the week. He said it was great to see the trout so aggressive this year. “It might be the weather and the fact there aren’t any flies, but it looks like everyone got to catch the big one,” he said.

The derby extends into the weekend with the theme, “Take a child fishing”. Over 600 children and their parents attended this year and many fabulous door prices were handed out. Heritage Society members and other dedicated community volunteers provided fishing tackle, hot and cold refreshments and personal assistance for inexperienced, but enthusiastic anglers.

And however tempting, members of the public respect the annual event and refrain from fishing Murphy Lake until the Derby concludes. Isles said the trout migrate to the adjoining waters, especially Uniacke Lake, and provide favorable angling opportunities during the entire season. The maximum catch was five fish per person and derby organizers asked that fish not be released back into the lake once caught. The main rule of the day, however, was to have fun, he said.

These annual fishing derbies are made possible through cooperation with Department of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture, Department of Natural Resources, law enforcement agencies and contributions from local business and private citizens.