The Fort Coulonge fire department held its fishing derby on Saturday, drawing nearly one hundred people for its annual fundraiser event on the Ottawa River.

Marc Asselin was among those with a lure in the ice Saturday morning. He said he saw the event as an opportunity to give back to the people who support his community.

“When the community flooded, they all came here to help us,” Asselin said. “So, it’s the community’s turn to come along and work together.”

Chris Bertrand took home the prize for the biggest fish and heaviest pike with a pike weighing in at 0.26 kg.
The derby was held in a new spot this year to coincide with the winter carnival organized by Le Patro. Fishers set up on the narrow branch of the Ottawa River between Île Frost and Fort Coulonge.

“Usually, we do it at the Grand Marais where it’s a wider, more open area,” said event organizer Jonathan Soucie, who’s been a firefighter for 16 years. “This year, it’s closer because of the carnival to try and draw more people in.”

Thanks to a collaboration with the carnival organizers, the event was also an opportunity for kids from nine to 18 years old to get their first fishing license and learn about the sport by trying their hand at catching a trout in a pond the fire department had set up on the ice. The pond was sponsored by Malette Électrique Inc.

The event raised more than $2,000, which will be used for general upkeep of the fire department.

Soucie said the fire department was grateful to receive over $5,300 in door prizes donated by 36 local businesses and organizations in support of the fundraiser.

“All the businesses across the area are happy to support us,” Soucie said. “It’s awesome, thank God for all those sponsors.”