The City of Airdrie is hosting a family-friendly fishing event this summer to help educate the public on fishing, environmental stewardship, and conservation efforts in the community, through an initiative called Kids Can Catch.
Families are encouraged to bring their fishing rods and tackle boxes to the pond at Nose Creek Regional Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 3 to “experience, learn, and enjoy the thrills of fishing,” according to Shauna Quinn, tourism development officer with the municipality.
She said the event is all about inviting people to come fish and offering them a chance to meet with and learn firsthand from fishing masters, including expert angler Wes David – host and producer of Fishing the Wild West TV, who will be filming on site.
“We are having the pond restocked for this event, and welcoming down celebrity angler Wes David to provide a couple of fishing tips and tricks seminars and [he] will be on site to help all the anglers catch a big one,” Quinn said.
The Get Hooked! seminars will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will focus on the basics of fishing for local species such as northern pike and rainbow trout. Quinn added the seminar will be child-friendly and will help teach parents who may not be experienced where to, and how to take their kids casting.
Additionally, Quinn said Bow River Fly Fishing – a local fly-fishing company that provides guided tours – will be on hand with a professional fly-tier to provide fly casting lessons for those more experienced anglers looking to improve their skillset.
“Of course, we have buckets of bugs and bait, fish experts and the [vice-president] of Alberta Conservation Association (ACA), Ken Kranrod, to meet and speak with all morning,” she said, adding the City is partnering with ACA for the upcoming event.
ACA vice-president Kranrod said the organization manages fishing events in various locations across the province – with approximately 20 held each year prior to the pandemic – but he added for the most part, they are hosted by local municipalities or organizing bodies.
“[The events] can occur in any type of water body, but most of them are urban fishponds that are stocked by ACA,” he explained. “Shauna [Quinn] was very gracious in the fact that she wanted to reach out to us because she was aware that ACA actually stocks [Nose Creek] pond.”
According to Kranrod, ACA stocks approximately 65 water bodies every year, including the Nose Creek pond in Airdrie.
“We typically put rainbow trout into these ponds in order to be caught over the summer fishing season by the local public,” he said. “We’re certainly very happy [the City of Airdrie] is leading the charge to have an event in Airdrie at the stocked pond.
“It’ll be the first time that’s done there, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be very successful given the population and everybody coming out of COVID lockdown times two.”
Kranrod said the spirit of the Kids Can Catch fishing events is to encourage families to get out and give fishing a try and put their screens away.
“It’s all about fishing, hunting, and getting outdoors,” he said. “In society today, everybody’s very busy and oftentimes just getting outside and enjoying nature, whether it’s going for a hike or going fishing … gets missed.
“The whole purpose of the event is to remind people that it’s really important and good for the soul to get outside and away from their screen – phone, computer – and give fishing a try.”
He said the association tries to remove as many barriers as possible to get locals engaged in the sport.
“At a location in Airdrie, you don’t have to go way out into the wilderness, it’s right there in your backyard,” he said. “Just take an hour or two, bring your kids, and give it a try, and you’ll probably have more fun than you think you will.”
Quinn said the conservation association – who first spearheaded the Kids Can Catch events in 2012 – has donated a limited number of fishing rods for the event to be used by those without their own gear.
That said, attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance and bring their own fishing gear if they have it, according to Quinn.
“Nose Creek Park is a beautiful site, so pack a picnic and enjoy a morning out,” she said.
Local organizations including Braces Plus Orthodontics, Big Chief Jerky, and BGC Airdrie will be sponsoring both a Gone Fishin’ photo booth and swag bag (limited availability), and an area for “little minnows” to play games and activities, according to Quinn.
And rather than a fish, attendees are encouraged to take home “The Big Catch” grand prize fishing pack, which is being donated by Canadian Tire.
Quinn said that from an education standpoint, understanding the regulations around fishing, where and when to fish, and best practices to sustain the environment are all important in preserving the health and wellbeing of the community.
Additionally, she said it is beneficial for residents to know there are family-friendly fishing options in town and more stocked ponds within a short drive from Airdrie, and hopes this event will help spread awareness.
“I didn’t know our pond was stocked with rainbow trout, and I’ve lived here over eight years,” Quinn said. “A small trio of us collaborated to take it to the next level, including [providing locals] a fishing map and more specific information on our website.”
She said the initial idea for the event came from Clint Goodman, a corporate environmental specialist with the City, who is passionate about wildlife conservation and public awareness and education.
“Nose Creek pond is a unique amenity to the city and it’s stocked annually to ensure there’s an angling experience for everybody in the city,” Goodman said. “We encourage anglers to catch and release when possible to preserve that ecosystem and preserve that opportunity for future anglers to catch a fish.”
According to Goodman, fishing is great for getting people outside in nature, interacting with their local creeks and water bodies, and recognizing the ecosystem in the community.
“Nose Creek pond provides a great opportunity for folks to have a reasonably successful opportunity to capture a fish and experience that excitement,” he said. “And then foster continual growth in getting outside and being part of the natural environment within the city.
“That helps strengthen that appreciation with the environment within our community.”
He added outside of the upcoming Kids Can Catch event, there are a number of stocked fishing ponds within 45 minutes of Airdrie, including Dewitt’s pond, which is just a short drive southwest of town.
Capitalizing on stocked ponds helps alleviate pressure on natural water bodies like Nose Creek or other active fisheries, according to Goodman, and allows native species to develop and be successful.
Quinn said with the July 3 event, the municipality is hoping to encourage kids to put down their remote or tablet and pick up a fishing rod to connect with nature as a “fun, affordable, and great multi-generational family affair.”
“It brings a new sense of place, quality of life, friendship, and connection, and most importantly mental health benefits,” she said. “Kids that are passionate about fishing can also learn there are career opportunities in fish and wildlife preservation, conservation, and education.”
For those for whom the event sparks a passion, the BGC Airdrie will be running a fishing club for kids aged 10 to 15 years old every Monday through the month of July.
“We hope more kids get hooked on fishing and continue year-round,” Quinn said.
She added the weekend of July 2 to 3 is Alberta’s Family Fishing Weekend, so no license is required to participate in the event.
“For all other times, if you are under 16 or an Alberta resident 65 or older, you don’t need a Sportfishing License to fish with a rod and reel, but you must follow Alberta’s sportfishing regulations,” she said. “If you’re between 16 and 65, you need a fishing license.”
For more information on the event or to RSVP, visit airdrie.ca/fishing
