This is Family Fishing Weekend

Friday, June 19, 2009 03:57 AM

Getting families together to enjoy a little fun in the great outdoors while promoting the ancient art of angling is the idea behind a plan that allows a weekend of fishing without the need to buy a freshwater
fishing licence, Environment Minister Barry Penner said today.

"If you haven't cast a line in one of British Columbia's incredible lakes, rivers or creeks lately and you'd like to try it again, or if you'd like to introduce a youngster to the sport of fishing, this is a great opportunity
to do it without worrying about buying a licence," said Penner. "Fishing is a great way to relax, take your mind off your worries and enjoy some fresh air."

The B.C. government offers the public free fishing in the province's lakes and non-tidal streams on Father's Day weekend each year. The non-profit Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC helps by keeping local lakes well stocked with trout and contributes funding. Other funding organizations include the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The Family Fishing Society provides financial assistance, materials and guidance to 46 volunteer community groups who put on family fishing events every year. This year, B.C.'s annual Family Fishing Weekend takes place June 19-21.

"The B.C. government wants to increase the number of freshwater anglers, and Family Fishing Weekend is a great way to introduce newcomers to the sport. Not only is recreational fishing a great way to enjoy time with family and friends in our great outdoors, anglers contribute nearly $1.2 billion annually to the province's rural economy," said Penner.

"Each year, approximately two million people visit British Columbia's beautiful recreation sites and trails, where they can choose from an array of first-rate activities, including fishing," said Kevin Krueger, Minister
of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. "Fishing is one of the primary reasons people camp at our recreation sites, and nearly 700 of these sites are adjacent to or near lakes that have been stocked to sustain and promote the
sport."

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Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 03:57 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: CaringSoul on June 19 2009 9:05 AM

Guess the government is not getting enough people buying 45.00 licences. Nice of them to give a free weekend though. Let me be the first to thank you for that. :}

Posted by: Andyfreeze on June 19 2009 9:12 AM

And I just bought a licence.
Ouch!
I wouldn't mind so much if the proceeds went back into the sport fishery/conservation etc.but apparently it goes into general revenue?

Posted by: thereasonableman on June 19 2009 10:47 AM

Wait until you try to get a licence at the local sports shop.
Have your laptop and your credit card handy, you even get to print it on your own paper.
I think this is going to very negatively impact licence sales.

Posted by: Outwest on June 19 2009 12:58 PM

Here goes my logic: used to be 2 Bucks +25 Cent for Steelhead , Minimum Wage at that Time was 1.50 an Hour, now it's around 8 Bucks an Hour, so why does it Cost 20 times as much to go fishing now and the Government wonders why fishing has dropped off, to hell with them I go fishing at the Superstore!

Posted by: NMG on June 19 2009 4:33 PM

Fishing licenses are an absolute bargain. You can't even play one round of golf at a reasonable course for the price of a fishing license for the entire year. Personally, I'd be willing to pay $500 per year and have the extra money directed towards more Conservation Officers to catch the poachers who don't feel that they need to buy a license.

On and Andyfreeze, 100% of license proceeds are used to support sport fishing in the Province. It has been this way since 1993. Check it out:

[URL]http://www.gofishbc.com/whofunded.htm[URL/]

Posted by: NMG on June 19 2009 4:33 PM

Oops that link didn't work . . . just paste this into your browser :)

http://www.gofishbc.com/whofunded.htm

Posted by: NMG on June 19 2009 4:35 PM

Oops #2 . . . been that way since 2003. Long day, LOL :)

Posted by: Outwest on June 19 2009 6:59 PM

Bargains are a Matter of Opinion, I'am glad you like to pay that much, i was referring to the Relationship of Income to Fees using the Minimum Wage at the Time to todays Minimum Wage .

Posted by: NMG on June 19 2009 9:18 PM

"Bargains are a Matter of Opinion, I'am glad you like to pay that much, i was referring to the Relationship of Income to Fees using the Minimum Wage at the Time to todays Minimum Wage"

I suspect that so much has changed in that time when it comes to recreational fisheries and related matters that such a comparison is virtually impossible to make.

Posted by: supertech on June 19 2009 11:12 PM

The fish don't care if you have a license or not - - - Neither do I. If the Natives can hunt with a light what the hells the use of me following rules. Are rules only for the caucasians? I'll take my day in court before I'll follow the rules. One country; one law.