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The annual BULLHEAD DERBY is held in
early August, on the docks at Comox Harbour on Vancouver Island, British
Columbia. Come on down for some fun with your family!
BULLHEAD DERBY INSPIRES
(Article by R.
Shaw)
If you follow the saltwater fishing
scene and what is happening in terms of anti-recreational
fishing policies
 on
several government fronts, it can get a little frustrating. So it was
refreshing to pause and take a look at children and their supporting
adults Saturday during the Nautical Days Bullhead
Derby.
This derby convinced all who participated that.
many children love to fish. It is sad that a Valley with so much water and
places where children and others could fish is so restrictive in its
opportunities.
In strolling around the wharf, taking pictures
and talking to folks, it was quite amazing to observe the bonding between
parents, grandparents and friends which happens during this simple
activity. Who would have thought that the lowly bullhead could be the
motivator in creating so many wonderful family fishing activities?
One of the most inspiring activities to watch is
an adult sharing with the child the careful details of how to set a hook,
put bait on the hook, land their fish, and then take care of it so it can
be taken to the judging stand. There it is measured and released to the
holding pond.
The fisher receives a collection of small prizes
for their entry. If the fish is large enough their names go up on the
leader board. There are several categories of fish that quality, but the
judges stretched things as I took a picture of a little girl receiving
recognition for her little jellyfish, which she had scooped up with-a
little net.
Recently - the Roman Catholic Church held a youth
rally in Toronto to inspire youth to get involved with their church. It
was correctly observed by the pope that the future of this religion is
with its children. The same can be said of fishing, or any other activity
that we do as part of our cultural mosaic.
If there were a message from the Bullhead Derby
it would be that many children do enjoy the act of fishing. I would
suggest you take your children fishing as often as the opportunity
presents itself. Recreational fishing with children is a simple activity,
which can lead to life-long enjoyment.
It would be nice if I could suggest some place to
take your children on a regular basis for the type of fishing involved at
the Bullhead derby, but alas the Comox Valley is sorely underdeveloped for
children to find places to fish with a degree of safety.
There is some good beach fishing at King Coho
Beach, and off Point Holmes. Maple Lake is a jewel in our community that
is sadly neglected by local governments, which could be a great community
fishing fishing hole if the access was improved.
From all that I hear the Logging Company is
willing to help and the Village of Cumberland has also expressed an
interest. In the meantime we sadly continue to lack simple fishing
opportunities for children to get involved with the life-long recreation
of angling.
The Record newspaper and Comox Valley
Insurance and Finance, along with other businesses and people willing to
suspend the rules for a day, have given us a great start. Now the ball is
in your court - try to get your child out fishing before next year’s
Bullhead Derby.
by Ralph Shaw, originally printed in The
Record, August 9, 2002 |
