Ontario Family Fishing Weekend
Contributed by OFAH
If one activity could sum up summer in Canada it would have to be fishing, and for
three wonderful days Ontarians can enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity licence free!
Ontario Family Fishing Weekend July 5 through 7 celebrates Ontario's outdoor heritage
with a host of events slated in communities across the province. Communities across
Ontario have proclaimed the annual event that has steadily grown in popularity since its
inception in 1994.
Summing up the reasons many families participate in Ontario Family Fishing Weekend,
Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Jerry Ouellette said, "For my wife Dianne
and I, sons Josh and Garrett, fishing is a way for the us to enjoy Ontario's great
outdoors. I'm not sure if the boys like fishing or frogging better, but I am sure we all
love the opportunity to wet a line at any time."
Bigger and better than ever, Ontario Family Fishing Weekend (O.F.F.W.) has for the
second year joined forces with National Fishing Week (N.F.W.), July 6-14, 2002, as part of
an exciting, week-long celebration of angling as a great national pastime and a way to
bring families and friends together.
Over 50 events are scheduled across Ontario to celebrate O.F.F.W. Clinics, seminars,
fishing derbies, interpretive studies, draws, contests, prizes and so much more are
offered during the event that has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Events are
held at provincial parks, marinas, conservation authorities, bait and tackle retailers and
at many fish and game clubs. In addition, new anglers can call 1-800-667-1940 or visit our
web site at www.familyfishingweekend.com
to get the Introduction to Fishing Package.
"Ontario Family Fishing Weekend and National Fishing Week help generate awareness
of opportunities that provide healthy, family-oriented outdoor activities. We know that
when people get involved in the outdoors they are more aware of their natural surroundings
and are more likely to take an active role in protecting and enhancing our natural
resources," said O.F.F.W. Chair Mark Holmes.
Two years ago the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation (C.N.S.F.) created the
first N.F.W. event funded largely by the fishing industry with Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources' support. Across the nation, National Fishing Week quickly drew the interest of
the fisheries agencies in provinces and territories that are now on board as active
sponsors.
National Fishing Week Project Coordinator, Rick Amsbury of the C.N.S.F. explains that,
like Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, the National event helps demonstrate to Canadians
that responsible fishing is good for the resource and a terrific way for families to spend
quality time together. It's a known fact that Canada has more quality fishing
opportunities than anywhere else in the world, adds Amsbury.
Additional information on Ontario's Family Fishing Weekend can be found at www.familyfishingweekend.com , or log on to
the new N.F.W. web site at www.nationalfishingweek.com
for up-to-date events and activities.
Angling is a multi-billion dollar industry in Ontario. Over two million people will go
fishing at least once this year and Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is an excellent means
for people to discover or rediscover the joys of angling.
FISHING FACTS:
- Ontario has over 250,000 lakes
- Ontario has over 150 species of fish
- Among Ontario's largest fish is the Lake Sturgeon that can live over 100 years and reach
scale tipping weights of 200 pounds or more.
- Among the tiniest fish in Ontario water is the fathead minnow that would stretch to
reach two inches in length.
For more information about Ontario Family Fishing Weekend contact Mark Holmes at
705-748-6324, fax 705-748-9577 or e-mail ofah@ofah.org
, Alan Crook, O.M.N.R. Family Fishing Weekend Coordinator at 705-755-2551, or Mike Melnik,
Impact Communications at 705-292-6112. For more information about National Fishing Week
contact Rick Amsbury, C.N.S.F., Project Coordinator at 705-745-8433. |
