Children’s fishing derby delivers outdoor fun on Pine River

July 5, 2018 · 0 Comments

Written By BRIAN LOCKHART

The Pine River Fishing Area is a secluded paradise in the hills of Mulmur with a flowing creek that empties into a lake surrounded by forest.

It’s not hard to find if you know where to go but you could drive by and easily miss it if you don’t know the area.

A children’s fishing derby was held on Saturday, June 30, sponsored by the Township, the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Show, and Dufferin Outdoor Supply.

After being stocked with 10,000 brook trout this year, catching your limit didn’t take very long.

The derby was the result of a combined effort by several local people.

Mulmur mayor, Paul Mills contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources and originally request the river be stocked with 5000 book trout. That number was later doubled.

Local resident Bill Duron who helped in the effort to get the river stalked said it’s been quite while since the river was stalked.

“I thought there was a need for a natural recreational asset because of the growth in Shelburne as well as trying to prevent motorized vehicles from ripping up the forest. So Paul (mayor) and I met with the Ministry of Natural Resources and they hadn’t stocked the Pine River since 1992. We convinced them this river was worth doing it.”

The Pine River eventually empties into the Nottawasaga River then continues on to Georgian Bay.

“Our sponsors have committed to supporting future fishing events for children,” explained Steven Murphy, Emergency Management Coordinator for Dufferin County. “With 10,000 fish we anticipate around 5000 will live through summer. Some will end up on someone’s dinner plate or the birds will get them. Some will swim up river, and others will winter here and double in size. The problem with hatchery fish is they don’t reproduce. So stocking brook trout into water like this is strictly for fishing pleasure.”

Hatchery fish do not have the same instincts as fish born in a waterway that recognize natural features such as smell and know it as home.

The idea for a children’s fishing derby gives kids the chance to come out and see what fishing is all about.

At the end for the day prizes were awarded including 25 fishing reels with tackle box that was donated by the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows.

At the very least the kids had an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on a long weekend.