Norwood Man Catches Top-Prize Fish "Walter" At 33rd Annual Fishing Derby

Norwood’s Justin Desbarbieux is $1,000 richer after catching ‘Walter’ the rainbow trout at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Wednesday afternoon.

There were 3,000 fish dumped into the canal last Wednesday to launch the 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby. The event was postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Desbarbieux caught the prized rainbow trout — weighing roughly eight to 10 lbs. — around 1:45 p.m. directly across from Liftlock Golf Club on the north side of the canal on Ashburnham Drive.

The Norwood mason said his battle with Walter was long and hard-fought.

"It was probably two or three minutes long," said Desbarbieux. "I could see him instantly belly up and he started swimming and doing circles.

Desbarbieux’s day started off on the wrong foot as he accidentally broke his fishing rod by closing the car door on it. His day was made up after catching the grand-prize fish.

"My adrenaline was pumping and I was trying to run down here and to show everyone," he explained. "I can buy another fishing pole from the money."

Desbarbieux has been participating in the fishing derby since he was a child. He has two sons that participated in the youth event that began on Saturday morning.

The Norwood local is walking away with the grand prize of $1,000 cash and gets to keep Walter.

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