First Ever Tackle Swap And Fishing Show Is Making A Splash At The Morrow Building

The first annual Peterborough Tackle Swap and Fishing Show is coming to The Morrow building at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Matt Pezzetta, an accomplished tournament angler in a Canada and in the USA, will emcee the event. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Tackle Swap and Fishing Show.

The show has existed for eight years in Bowmanville, but quickly outgrew the venue there and is coming to Peterborough to expand.

Initially they were set for 2020 but the COVID pandemic put an end to it before it could start.

“This has been two years in the making now,” said Kyle Carruthers, show organizer. “This will be bigger and better than anything we’ve ever done in Bowmanville. We’ve got more space, more experience and such high quality vendors.”

Carruthers, who works in the outdoor industry, says Peterborough is the perfect town to host this event in, as the city is surrounded by beautiful lakes and rivers prime for anglers.

Visitors to the show can expect to see used fishing tackle and gear being sold by vendors, big vendors like Shimano, and local companies like Musky maniacs, Lucky Strike Bait Works and Pro Tackle PTBO.

Admission is $10 (cash only) at the door and will get you entered into a draw to win a Garmin Fish Finder. Visitors are invited to bring a donation to the food bank, which will get them a second entry to the draw.

Children under 12 will get in for free, as well as a free bait or lure courtesy of Lucky Strike and Berkley.

There will also be an opportunity to enter a raffle in support of breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment at PRHC with the Peterborough Dragon Boat festival.

“It will have a small town feel to it, we’re trying to support the community,” said Carruthers. “Fisherman and anglers respect the conservation side of the waters while giving back when we can.”

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Free Fishing For Ontario From July 3 to 11

Summer is here and to celebrate, the Ontario government is allowing families to fish for free from July 3 to July 11.

Bud Fisher (pictured), co-founder of Catchin’ Deers, a hunting brand, has almost 30,000 followers on Instagram. File Photo

“Fishing is a time-honoured tradition and terrific way for families to spend time together,” says Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry in a media release. “I hope everyone in Ontario is able to head down to a lake or river and take part in free fishing week this year.”

For the rest of the year, anyone between 18 and 65 has to have an outdoors card and a fishing license though veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members residing in Ontario are exempt.

Those taking part in this initiative are reminded to respect the public health regulations of step two of its reopening plan including outdoor gathering restrictions.

While you will not require any license to fish at these times, anglers still must follow conservation licence catch limits, obey size limits and sanctuaries and follow all other fishing regulations and rules.

Children 12 and younger can download and colour the licence-free fishing colouring page to be entered to win one of five fishing prize packs. To download click here.

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Local Woman Reeling In the Muskie Fishing Life

Some people use fishing as a way to relax but for Megan Patterson, she seeks the thrill of catching the biggest muskie possible.

Patterson was born in Kingston but moved to Peterborough at an early age. Photo Courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson has fished for over five years and took up the sport after meeting her now-husband who also is an avid fisherman.

Every time she fishes, her goal is to always catch the biggest muskie possible and embrace the thrill that comes along with the catch.

“It’s feeling like the drop of a rollercoaster, there’s a drop in your stomach and so much adrenaline at the same time,” explains Patterson. “It’s an overwhelmingly exciting emotion.”

Patterson works at Trent University as a team member of the Careerspace and Office of the Registrars departments. Photo Courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson fishes at Chemong or Katchewanooka Lake (near Lakefield) during the week but travel out to more faraway places for bigger muskies. Lake St. Clair near Windsor is where she began to fall in love with the sport after having her early fishing experiences there.

Despite Pattersons high angler skill, her goal of catching a 50-inch muskie still eludes her.

“My biggest fish is 49 (inches) and a bit,” she said. “I’ve had so many 48 and 47. I never try to have any expectations when I go to these lakes.”

Despite not meeting her goal, Patterson typically catches at least one muskie a weekend and can have days of catching over 10 in the same timeframe.

Patterson graduated from Trent University with a joint major in business administration and cultural studies in 2015. Photo Courtesy of Megan Patterson.

Patterson is a member of several fishing organizations Muskies Canadaeveral muskie organizations such as Muskies Canada, Canadian Fishing Network and the Ontario Women's Anglers Association.

She also is an ambassador for companies such as Shimano, Musky Maniacs and many more, appearing in trade shows to showcase new fishing products.

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Here's The Police Report On The Three Men Robbed While Fishing At London Street Dam

From Peterborough Lakefield Police...

Robbery:

On Wednesday (July 27), 2012 at approximately 8 p.m. three men were robbed while they were fishing at the London Street dam. The three victims, ranging in age from 22 to 32 years old, reported to police that while they were fishing the two suspects, whom they don’t know, came out of the bushes and pushed two of the victims into the water. The suspects told the third victim to also get into the water. While the men were in the water the suspects stole their fishing equipment. Once the suspects had left the area the victims made their way to the area of Hazlitt Street and Ross Street where they contacted police.

The first suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 5’9” to 6’0”, approximately 25 to 35 years old, stocky build, short blonde hair, said his name was “Pete,” wearing a burgundy shirt with light shorts. The first suspect also had a German Shepherd type dog with him. The second suspect is also a Caucasian male, approximately 6’1” to 6’3”, approximately 25 to 30 years old, medium build, sandy blonde hair, tattoo on the side of neck, wearing a grey shirt with blue shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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