Members of the Little Eagles and Little Thunderbird youth programs will be hosting a first-annual “Fishing Expo” to help raise money for camping and fishing trips this summer.
The expo, slated Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the United Native Friendship Centre, will feature vendors from Woods ‘N’ Crafts, Richard’s Rod & Reel Repair Service, Jimlin’s Jigs, the Lil’ Eagles and Little Thunderbird youth groups, and Ministry of Natural Resources.
Various custom-made rods, reconditioned reels, spinner baits, jigs, bass baits, and camouflage clothing will be for sale. The MNR also will have an information booth on the new fishing regulations, handing out pamphlets and showing videos.
Event co-ordinator Brad Herbert said anyone interested in setting up a table can still contact him at 274-8541. He stressed the need for such a fundraising event after recent cutbacks to their program.
“Our funding has been drastically cut in the past two years so myself and Robert Bombay decided to have the expo to compensate [the lost revenue],” said Herbert, a youth worker at the UNFC for the past year.
“In the past, they’ve had craft and bake sales but those only brought in $40 or $50 a day,” he noted.
Herbert said the money raised will go towards helping to send four groups of 15 kids on camping and fishing trips this summer.
“The trips will be great for the kids because it gives them choices rather than getting involved with crime or drugs,” he said, adding he feels the expo will attract hard-core fishermen.
For a $1 registration fee, the names of those attending will be put into a barrel to be drawn for a variety of door prizes donated by businesses across the district. They include rods, reels, tackle, and tackle boxes.
Raffle prizes also will be up for grabs, including a chance to win a guided fishing trip on Rainy Lake courtesy of Jackfish Hammy’s Guide Service and a fly-in fishing trip out of Nestor falls courtesy of Tinker’s Place Ltd.
The cost for the raffle is $5 per ticket.
There will be other activities, too, said Herbert, including a fishing pond upstairs at the UNFC for the kids ($1 registration fee), Nevada tickets, and a baked goodies table.
The kitchen also will be open, offering hamburgers, bannock burgers, hot dogs, french fries, wild rice soup, and pop. A canteen will be open downstairs selling pop, chips, and chocolate bars.
Featured
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
