The Como Lake Fishing Derby returns on May 31 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Sponsored by the Port Coquitlam & District Hunting & Fishing Club, Sea-Run Fly & Tackle, and the Kinsmen Club of Coquitlam, the Como Lake Fishing Derby brings families from the Tri-Cities and beyond to the shores of Como Lake to bond over a pancake breakfast, connect with their local community while waiting for fish to bite, and even win some prizes for their catches.
For some, attending the derby has become an annual tradition. Regular attendees may park themselves in their go-to spot and cast their rods until they get the bite they desire. This isn’t their first rodeo.
Others, however, may not have the same level of experience. Those looking to get out in the community, to meet new people or reconnect with old strangers under the shade of Como Lake’s trees, or even to fulfill a familial interest in learning how to fish.
For those looking to attend the Como Lake Fishing Derby for the first time, NewsLight has put together a list of tips and tricks, as well as things to know about the Derby, thanks to the help of Port Coquitlam & District Hunting & Fishing Club President Jack Fletcher.
Continue reading to figure out how to make the best of your morning at the derby.
What The Derby Itself Looks Like
“Children will basically line the banks of the lake and fishing, generally with bobber and worm [...] catch a fish, and the fish is weighed,” Fletcher explained. “There’s little things given out as a, ‘hey, you caught a fish’ [prize], and there will be [...] draws for prizes, and there’s trophies.”
Yes, there are trophies involved.
Awards are given to the attendees who catch the largest or smallest fish, among other prizes. Some of the prizes up for grabs include fishing rods, trophies, and ‘grab bags.’
“Grab bags may have some hooks, or line, or power bait (scientifically-created fishing lure), that kind of thing in them,” Fletcher noted.
While the fish in the lake are generally all around a similar size once stocked — anywhere from eight to 14 inches, give or take — elements such as their food intake once arriving at the lake can impact their size once the derby begins.
“When they stock the lake, it’s stocked with what they call ‘catchables.’ Catchables are generally 10 to 12 inches, and trout can grow at different rates,” Fletcher said. “Even though they’re the same age, you may have one that’s eight inches and one maybe 14 inches. It just kind of depends on who’s eating more.”
Those without experience won’t need to worry, as there will be plenty of stock for participants to try and catch. A couple of days before the event itself, the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, also known as Go Fish BC, re-stocks the lake with around 1,500 new fish — ‘catchables’ — to make sure that everyone gets a fair shot at getting a bite on their hook.
“The fish get shocked coming out of wherever they’re being raised and transported, and then put in the lake, so they generally don’t really eat a lot for a couple of days after they’re put in the lake, so they’ll be put in earlier,” Fletcher added regarding the timing of the stocking process. This, he explained, gives the fish more time to adjust to their surroundings and become more likely to bite on bait.
How To Prepare Before The Derby Itself
Though the event is semi beginner-friendly, attendees will want to make sure they have some fishing basics down before they cast their rods. One of the things Fletcher encourages fishing first-timers to do is reading up on how to cast a bobber and worm. This stage of the fishing process takes place after the person fishing attaches the bobber and bait (in this case, a worm) to the hook.
“If you don’t know how to cast, then that makes it quite difficult. So, I would suggest doing a little bit of research on how to cast,” he said.
To cast a rod, fishers will first want to make sure they have lots of space around them, ensuring that there isn’t anything nearby that their hook could snag on when they cast the line. The act of casting itself involves proper timing — and maybe a little practice — to ensure that the line ends up coming out at the right time. A short video guide on how to cast a rod can be found here.
The other thing Fletcher advises attendees to do is to arrive early and claim a spot quickly, as regulars to the event typically have their spots already picked out.
What To Bring On The Big Day
Bring something to sit on. Whether that’s a folding chair, a cooler, a blanket. Fishing is a sport that requires a healthy dose of patience — who knows how long you could be waiting for a bite for — so making sure your family is as comfortable as possible will go a long ways in terms of enjoyment.
“A lot of parks now have geese around them, and sitting on the goose trampled — so to speak — grass, that’s not something you want to sit on,” Fletcher added.
While having your own rod and bait serve as a benefit, those who don’t already have the gear won’t be completely stranded. Go Fish BC will be providing rods for children to loan during the derby.
Another thing to consider is obtaining a fishing license. Children at the age of 16 will need to acquire a fishing license in order to take part in the derby, with one-day, eight-day, or annual licenses available via the Government of British Columbia. Those looking for more information on licenses can visit gov.bc.ca.
Since the entire morning event will take place outdoors, families are encouraged to keep the weather in mind when preparing for the derby. Consider packing things such as water, sunscreen, or even snacks for those who opt not to partake in the by-donation pancake breakfast.
“Watching a bobber can be a little bit of a slow process,” Fletcher advised. “Just be comfortable.”