Ice fishing derby raises funds for local legion in honour of former member

This long weekend is Free Family Fishing weekend in Ontario. That means avid anglers can fish on Saturday, Sunday and Monday without a license.

In Callander Saturday, families dropped a line in a fishing derby to raise funds for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #445 in the name of former member Bruce Rodgers.

"It's fun to get family and friends out," said Kevin Fitzgerald, who is Rodgers’ son-in-law.

Over 160 families registered for the derby and braved the wind to ice fishing on either Lake Nipissing or Lake Nosbonsing.

This derby has been running since Rodgers started it in 1992.

"It's going good so far," said participant and family friend Dayton Cerasia.

“We just got here so it's looking like a good day”

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Rodgers died of lung cancer in April 2016, he was 67. Those close to Rodgers told CTV News that one of his favourite past times was fishing.

"He was a great bass fisher and had a big, beautiful bass boat and was out fishing all the time in tournaments," said his wife Sherry Culling, who is the current derby organizer.

After his passing the event was renamed the Bruce Rodgers Memorial Ice Fishing Derby.

Fitzgerald said he recalls the time his father-in-law got him hooked on the sport.

"He loved fishing everywhere and anywhere. He got me into it pretty hard core," he said.

The legion continued the derby after Rodgers' passing, renaming it the 'Bruce Rodgers Memorial Ice Fishing Derby.' (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)All of the derby proceeds goes back to the legion branch in Callander for its continued upkeep and operation. Rodgers was a 36-year member of the branch, who served as the branch's vice-president and the acting president for a year.

"It feels good to take part in this,” said Kyra Angst, another family friend participating in the derby this weekend.

“It's beneficial for them and for us. So it's a win-win situation."

Culling said she sees the branch's need for support and acknowledges their thanks and gratitude.

"It gives me great pleasure to do this to help this branch out. I'm a life member here as well and of course we have the poppy funds come in. But those are just for our veterans," she said.

"This goes to the daily operation of the branch."

There are three categories for both children and adults, pike, pickerel, and perch, with the longest three fish in each category taking home a prize.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids under 10 or $20 for a family pass including two adults and two kids and registration is required. Interested participants can register at the legion on Lansdowne Street and must return to the legion before 6 p.m. to qualify for prizes.

The derby ends with a pasta dinner at the legion hall from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. with prizes awarded shortly after 7 p.m.

Since 1992, the derby has collected almost $40,000 for the branch.

For more information on the legion’s events, visit their Facebook page.

Anglers of all ages dropped a line in a fishing derby in Callendar on Saturday to raise funds for the local legion as part of Ontario's Free Family Fishing weekend. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)