A reel good time at Legion's 2014 Bobby Burns Fish Derby

Winners group at Pincher Creek Legion Fish Derby

Toni Lucas

There were blue skies and great weather for the 46 contestants who entered the annual Fish Derby at Bobby Burns Park in Pincher Creek on Wednesday, June 26.  Over 100 people came out to enjoy the day. The derby has been going strong since at least 1990 and offers a pleasant day of competition for seniors and people with handicaps.

People came from Lethbridge, Crowsnest Pass, Lundbreck, and Pincher Creek to vie for medals, visit, and to fish in pleasant surroundings with good company.

There was much comparing of techniques, bait, and equipment. A few people caught more than a dozen fish while others were thwarted, not able to catch a single fish. Many did not fish but lounged and enjoyed a nice outdoor outing that ended with a luncheon featuring beans, salad, and cold cuts.

Oldest Fisherman "Honest" Dick Evans with Legion Service Officer Hal Sigurdson

Fish stories abounded. The common stick-fish was caught by more than one fisherman. The one that got away was another story of the day. The best story came from the winner of the oldest fisherman prize, Dick Evans of Lethbridge. "I shouldn't win, I lied about my age," he claimed during the medals ceremony. He made a guesstimate of how old he was, and had given himself an extra year at registration. At his true age of 86, he still won the category. He felt that his miscalculation should have disqualified him. So it is not all a fish story, and there is an honest fisherman.

There was no prize for Biggest Stick

Legion Service Officer Hal Sigurdson gave out the medals after the lunch.

Handicapped Largest Fish - Steve Lockhart

Handicapped Smallest Fish - Sean Poole

Senior Largest Fish - Liz Hunka

Senior Smallest Fish - Clay Olsen

Oldest Fisherwoman - Marie Smythe

Oldest Fisherman - Dick Evans

Bylaw Officer Gord Pitt, Ralph Bourque, Bylaw Officer John Herasemluk

Chin Phen

Clay Olsen (Seniors Smallest Fish) and Hunter

Largest Fish Handicapped - Steve Lockheart

Largest Fish, Senior - Liz Hunka

Liz Hunka with officials Ed Christianson and Bill McLeod

Liz Hunka

Oldest Fisherwoman Marie Smyth

Organizer Fred White

Organizer Fred White explained that the land was donated to the Municipal District of Pincher Creek by Robert and Janet Burns in 1984. The park is open to the public but fishing rights are restricted to seniors and people with handicaps.

Handicapped Smallest Fish - Sean Poole

Smallest Fish Senior - Clay Olsen

Sean Poole (Smallest Fish Handicapped) with Hal Sigurdson

Vern Jarvie

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #43 maintains the area and Alison Creek Fisheries stocks the pond with 1,000 rainbow trout every spring. White was looking at the recent improvements including side walk areas and the new deck that was filled with people fishing and sees beyond, to refurbishing the horseshoe pits, and creating pathways for strolls. Areas exist to have picnics, but have fallen in disrepair. "It's all done by volunteer work," explained White. He laughed and said, "Being in charge means I get to cut the grass." Although a flip answer, the truth is that a crew worked hard to clean up the area especially with the recent rain last week and their efforts showed.

Carol Curtis and Al Erfle with record book

Ed Christiansen measuring fish