Discover Sixty-Five: June 2022

A Father’s Day Tradition...
BC’s Family Fishing
Weekend
The West Kootenay has so many
creeks, lakes and rivers flowing with
pure cold water. This is the world
of the fish, millions of little ones,
plenty of big ones and some truly
gargantuan swimmers like the longlived
sturgeon and the bull trout
that inhabit the depths of Kootenay
Lake and the Columbia River.
On the shore, in a boat, with your
rod in hand, the pastime of fishing
is (ironically) grounding. Periods of
intense observation of the water’s
surface and its depths are interspersed
with intervals when your
mind just wanders where it will.
BC’s Family Fishing Weekend is an
annual celebration of fishing that
coincides with Father’s Day weekend
each year. This year it falls on
June 17 - 19. During the three-day
event, residents of Canada (individuals
who have lived in Canada for
the preceding 12 months) can go
fishing without a licence.
The BC provincial government
waives the requirement for residents
to buy or carry a non-tidal
(freshwater) basic licence on that
weekend. The federal Department
of Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
which manages tidal fishing, also
offers the opportunity to go saltwater
fishing for free. This is a great
opportunity to get together with
family and friends and try fishing!
Exceptions: If you plan to fish for
species that require a conservation
surcharge stamp (steelhead, Kootenay
Lake rainbow trout, white sturgeon,
and salmon in both tidal and
non-tidal waters); or angle Classified
Waters (highly productive trout
streams; listed as Class I or Class II
waters in the water-specific tables
of the fishing regulations) you are
still required to purchase the appropriate
licence(s) and conservation
surcharge stamps.
Anglers must still adhere to catch
quotas ( www.gofishbc.com/
How-to-Fish.aspx#fishing-licences-regulations)
and regulations.
Make sure you have read and
understood the Freshwater Fishing
Regulations Synopsis ( www2.gov.
bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/
recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing
fishing-regulations ) so that you
know where you can go fishing,
and which fish species you
can catch.
During BC’s Family Fishing
Weekend free fishing
events for anglers and
families are held around the
province. Knowledgeable
volunteers are on-hand at
most events to teach you the
tricks of the trade.
Happy Father’s Day to all men
role modelling fatherhood -
brothers, and uncles, grandpas
and step dads! We thank you
for your contributions!
~ D65
Call Kaslo,1-800-663-4619 Discover Sixty-Five June 2022 23