Members of the Sidney Anglers Association are keeping busy these days.
Volunteers with the association head out to the Tulista Park boat launch on weekends throughout the summer to assist boaters and help keep them safe.
“We help everybody get in and out of the water,” association volunteer Norman Kent said. “Sometimes launching can be really difficult. It’s great and a good learning experience. You meet all sorts of people and you learn a lot about what’s working.”
The Town of Sidney and the association have an agreement to have the volunteers at the boat launch.
“The town wants us out here because we help to mitigate any conflicts,” Kent added. “They realize our value. It’s mostly just directing traffic and getting people to calm down when it gets busy and to take their time. It gets pretty frantic here sometimes, but people are really willing to follow our directions.”
The purpose of the association is to foster interest in fishing and the propagation and conservation of salmon.
“This is a really active and social fishing club,” Kent said. “It’s a great bunch who are very friendly. People are willing to share their expertise. We also have a lot of salmon enhancement projects.”
The association puts on several fishing derbies, with the next one scheduled for Sept. 3.
“The derbies are how we raise funds,” association volunteer John Flook said. “We also give away a few prizes. They are pretty good. The association has raised a lot of money for salmon enhancement and fish hatcheries at the derbies.”
Those interested in joining the association can visit sidneyanglers.ca or go to one of the general meetings held on the last Monday of most months. The meetings take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre from September through June, with a break in December.
“You get all the latest tips on what’s biting, and where and what gear to use at the meetings,” Kent added. “You got to get connected. A typical meeting has 40 or 50 people there.”
The annual membership fee is $25.
“The fee is really reasonable,” Flook added. “I don’t even notice it.”
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