By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo group making fishing memories possible

Mar 16, 2018 | 4:37 PM

NANAIMO — It’s a scary time to be a fish in a Nanaimo lake.

More people than ever before are casting lines into local waters thanks to Fishing for Fun.

Mike Lawrence founded Fishing for Fun three years ago as a way to expose more people to fishing, including the less fortunate. Lawrence started out small by sharing extra gear from his personal collection with children who watched him fish local lakes.

He said the concept grew with strong community support, to the point where more than 400 rods and basic tackle have been given to people in Nanaimo.

“We don’t disqualify anybody. If you want to come out and learn how to fish and you need a fishing rod, we’re here for you. It’s all about getting out and active,” Lawrence told NanaimoNewsNOW at the lower Colliery Dam Friday afternoon.

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Lawrence said their group gets gear by cashing in bottle donations coordinated through their Facebook page and website, as well as donations from Cabela’s. He said they also do regular educational sessions on the basics of fishing to give people the tools to reel in a trout from a locally stocked lake.

Lawrence said far too many children are glued to their phones, video games and TVs, instead of creating meaningful memories with parents and other caregivers.

He said getting fishing supplies to people who previously didn’t have access to gear is satisfying to be a part of.

“They’re getting memories that I created with my Dad as a youth, they’re getting the same memories with their parents. Whether their parents can afford it or not, now they have the opportunity to be able to go out and do that.”

Lawrence said Fishing for Fun has since expanded to the Ladysmith-Chemainus area and plans to do the same in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.

A dozen pre-school aged children were using Fishing for Fun rods at the lower dam Friday afternoon.

Kidz Kompany owner Melissa Burke said activities like fishing are ways to challenge and promote overall growth in young children.

“That’s how they gain new experiences and new interests,” Burke said. “What a really awesome thing, I remember fishing with my grandparents when I was their age. It’s just not something that everyone does anymore.”

There is no shortage of trout to catch in the dams at the moment.

A Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC truck was on site Friday, spewing 500 catchable-sized rainbow trout through a tube into the lower dam as the young anglers watched.

ian@NanaimoNewsNow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes