The annual Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Fishing Derby is back this summer, offering children a chance to fish with local police officers and win prizes. The event, organized by the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, will take place on Saturday August 12, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Pembroke Waterfront Park. Constable Shawn Peever, the community services officer with the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, spoke with myFM about the upcoming event.
The derby is open to children 12 and under who have their own fishing equipment and an adult companion. It is a catch and release event, meaning that all fish caught will be returned to the water. Participants will compete for awards in different age categories based on the size of their catch. They will also receive giveaways and goodies from the sponsors.
The event is part of Fishing Forever, a national program that supports fishing, conservation, and education initiatives across Canada. It is also supported by the Pembroke Police Service Board, the Police Association of Ontario, Canadian Tire, The Pembroke Mall and Allan’s Bait and Tackle.
According to Bob Izumi, chair of Fishing Forever, there is nothing that puts a smile on a kid’s face faster than catching a fish. “That’s why I love to create opportunities for children and families to go fishing,” states Izumi. “Fishing is one of the very best ways for parents and other adults to establish productive and healthy relationships with children.”
To register for the derby, children can visit the registration booth near the playground at the Pembroke Waterfront Park on the day of the event. For more information about Kids, Cops, and Canadian Tire, visit www.kidsandcops.ca.
(Written by Luke Notman)