Smiles & fishing 

Aydelu Ice Fishing Derby sold out winter fun

Jude Osmond

Contestants were up bright and early, lining up to register for the Aydelu ice fishing derby. Registration opened at 7 am.  The derby sold out before 8 am, with people who had spent the night outside in their fishing huts waiting to register. 

The derby had 250 participants. Even when the derby was sold out, they still had to reject about 100 more participants.

25,000 dollars' worth of gifts were given, and each participant received a gift worth over 50 dollars.

They were not the 1st-place winner in this tournament; they drew at random at the end of the day to determine first, second, and third place by category: Pikes, Walleyes, and Perch.

Some of the prizes were a generator, a pair of Sens tickets, a TV and way more.

The proceeds of the derby go to Popote roulante du Centre d’action bénévole de Gatineau and Square 1 Men’s Health Care.

The derby partnered with 819fishingtactics, owned by Antony Rivera. This is the third year that they have partnered with 819fishingtactics.

Rivera set up a station at the derby for kids to learn how to ice fish, giving demonstrations and drilling holes for them to fish on their own. About 25 kids were in attendance.

Revolution Sportfishing was also in attendance to help with the demonstrations.

“It’s great for them to get out of the house, and it keeps them out of trouble as they grow up to have a hobby like fishing,” said Rivera.

“I'm having a lot of fun. It’s more of a patient event, but I love fishing.” Said Mason Kluke, one of the kids participating in the event.

After the event, the participants were treated to a spaghetti dinner at Centre Aydelu.