Despite what recent published reports say, the 98 the Beach Chantry Chinook Classic Fishing Derby is alive and well.
Derby chair Todd Devries says everything is a go for the event July 25th to August 8th.
Devries says tickets are being sold at 32 different outlets not only in this region, but throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Derby committee member Bob Greason says this event brings about a million dollars in new money into the region.
Greason reacted to the recently published story in the Owen Sound Sun Times that indicated the Bruce Peninsula Fishing Derby was shutting down this year and suggesting that the Chantry Chinook might not be far behind.
Greason says Ray Walser, president of the Lake Huron Fishing Club was asked his opinion and said if the Chantry Chinook bombed, it would have to consider closing down.
Greason was quick to point out that Walser went out to say many positive things about the local derby and its future but he says, the paper chose to publish only the negative.
Greason says they tracked where participants of last year’s competition were coming from and surprisingly on 45 per cent are considered local.
The rest are coming from Sarnia, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and as far away as Toronto.
He says some out-of-town participants plan vacations around the fishing derby who might not otherwise come to this area.
Devries says the fishing derby will feature all of the regular activities that past derbys have had but the derby has expanded into Georgian Bay.
The committee has included Georgian Bay this time around to appease the fishermen who are stymied when there are strong westerly winds coming off the Lake Huron.
Bob Greason says under these circumstances, the Georgian Bay shoreline is protected from the winds because of the cliffs in the north and participants are welcome to try their luck there as well.
All funds generated from the derby go directly into the Lake Huron Fishing Club towards their efforts to stock salmon and trout from their hatcheries in Port Elgin and Kincardine.
Tickets are on sale now at 25 dollars each or 55 dollars for a family pass.