More than 250 participants gathered at The Forks for Urban Fall Fishing Derby on Saturday.
“I’m so overwhelmed. Especially on a long weekend for this many to be out here and fishing.”
“It’s unbelievable,” said the organizer of the event, Todd Longley, who also runs Generation Next Angler.
The free fishing derby promotes friendly competition for families and raises awareness of fishing in the city.
From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., people reeled in a catfish, goldeye, bullheads, stonecats and more.
“There are so many different species in the Red River and they’re catching them all right now,” said Longley.
He said someone caught a catfish over 70 centimetres, the largest catch of the day so far. He also said fish are measured by length and not by weight in this derby.
“They get released unharmed. Every fish that’s caught goes back into the river,” Longley said.
Derby organizers accepted donations on behalf of the Marymound School and Never Alone Foundation.
