I was to a FH fundraiser at Petrie a few years back and I really enjoyed it. Good to see you carrying on that great spirit. Organizing group events can have it's challanges, but the end rewards for your hard work is always worth it.Petrie Island ice fishing derby raises $3,500 for Canadian Cancer Society
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
About 160 avid ice fisherman converged on Petrie Island on Satrurday to take part in the first annual "Fish for a Cure" ice fishing derby to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Liam Moreau gets some pointers on ice fishing from his grandfather Bob Moreau who has been ice fishing near Petrie Island to for the past 35 years. Fred Sherwin/Photo
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The ice fishing derby was the brainchild of J.P. Ostiguy who wanted to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society in honour of a friend who recently recovered from cancer surgery.
"It's about the community of anglers coming together to do something for a friend and raise a few dollars," said Ostiguy.
After deciding to organize an ice fishing derby, Ostiguy had to pick a site. Petrie Island has been a popular ice fishing location almost since forever. Bob Moreau has been ice fishing in the island's bay for the past 35 years. He taught his son Shaun how to ice fish when he was a boy and is now passing his knowledge on to his five-year-old grandson Liam.
Not that Liam needs any tips. The youngster won a fishing derby two years ago when he caught six perch. He was only three at the time.
"You can't beat it. I just love it," says Shaun Moreau. "I work a lot during the summer so I do most of my fishing during the winter. It's a great way to spend the weekend."
After deciding when and where to hold the "Fish for a Cure" derby, Ostiguy approached Oziles' Marina, Bait and Tackle Shop owner Yves Grandmaitre who provided him with tents, electricity and a location.
The fishing derby was divided into a competitive division and a non-competitive division. In the competitive division there were two categories, one for walleye and one for pike.
The pike competition was won by Mark Messier whose winning entry was 30 and a half inches long. Second place went to Dan Champagne at 28 inches.
The winner of the walleye competition was Bill Bratt who won by a quarter inch over Eric Rolly with a catch that measured 19 and three-quarter inches.
Bratt used to go ice fishing 40 years ago as a boy. He started the practice up again last year as a way to spend his weekends after retiring. When asked what his secret was in winning the fishing derby, he simply chalked it up to "beginner's luck".
"I'm a hard core walleye fisherman in the summer. I used to go downhill skiing with my wife in the winter, but we stopped a couple of years ago so I started going ice fishing. I love it. I love being outside. I love the whole process," says Bratt.
The Oziles' Marina Bait and Tackle has been catering to ice fishermen for years offering everything from bait to hut rentals. A basic hut rents for $50 or $60 a day. An ice fishing package which includes the hut, a heater, bait, jigs, holes and tip lines goes for $100 a day.
According to Grandmaitre, a lot of people who ice fish have jobs that limit their ability to fish during the summer such as construction workers and trades people.
Then there are other people who ice fish on the odd weekend depending on the weather. Typically, a father might bring his kids or they'll make it a family affair.
"It's a great way to spend the day especially on weekend like this," says Grandmaitre.
For more information or to reserve a shack in advance you can call the Oziles' Bait and Tackle Shop at 613-841-0778.
Good on ya JP. Nice work.
Congrats JP and Gang!!!!
You da man JP
Many great sponsors stepped up to theplate too. Without them...no tourney..In the end the day went off without a hitch 
JP and the guys did a heck of a job putting this Derby together 
Joco dont you use corn to bait the area for carp..or should I say crap.
