Fishing enthusiasts gather on Nepewassi Lake to raise funds
There was a big turnout this year on the waters of Nepewassi Lake as fishermen and fisherwomen gathered for the 27th annual Estaire Volunteer Fire Department Family Pike Derby.
It's the first time the derby's been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and it's one of the biggest fundraisers the fire department relies on all year.
"We are an unorganized township and we get our funding for the fire department by doing these fundraisers," said Chief Tina Basso.
The men and women who serve are volunteers. They're unpaid and it's the money they make here that goes into protecting the community.
More than 160 people came out to try it, hook, line and sinker. It's clearly an event with many of the community members that's been missed.
"Awe it feels great, we have a camp out her eon the lake and it feels great to be able to raise money for the fire department again," said fisherman Jim Kmit.
"Fishing is a lot of un, the small ones are biting but they are a fun time out here today," said another named Ted.
It's causes like this that has the whole community out doing what it can, they want to do their part.
Members of the Nepewassi Lake Association make lunch to help them reach their goal.
"And this spring, if anyone was listening to the news and the forest fires, we had a huge forest fire out here and it went on and this fire department was volunteering their time for more than a week, to put that fire out so it's so important that we're here to support them," said president Cathy Fournier.
"I feel there's an amazing amount of excitement, it's great to see all of the people again. It's great to have the human interaction. I've missed it so much," said Chief Basso.
The derby is being run as a catch and release so participants won't know who won until the end of the day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.