Kids and cops go fishing at Innisfil Beach Park

Children in Innisfil are getting their fishing gear ready for the 12th Annual Innisfil Summerfest Kids Fishing Derby.

Hosted by the Innisfil Community Events Corporation, the event will be held on Saturday June 16th at the Innisfil Beach Park.

The festivities will begin bright and early at 7 am and conclude at 12 noon with the Awards ceremony being held at 1:00 pm.

The cost to participate is $5 and the event is open to kids 5 - 12 years of age.

The young anglers are asked to bring their own rods, reels, bait and bucket to carry the fish.

Participants can look forward to prizes for the largest fish caught in three age categories and also one grand prize for the largest catch of the day.

Officers from the South Simcoe Police Association will also be present to assist the kids in the fishing fun.

This event is part of an exciting grassroots program to encourage youngsters to enjoy the benefits of recreational fishing, supported by Real Fishing's Bob Izumi, the Fishing Forever Foundation and Canadian Tire. The Summerfest Kids Fishing Derby is a joint venture with the Innisfil Community Events Corporation, the South Simcoe Police Association, Sandy Cove Marine, Aero Marine Auction, Royal Bank, Presto Appliances, Village Market Dental, Sobey's, Shoppers Drug Mart and Canadian Tire Barrie - South End.

According to Real Fishing's Bob Izumi, spokesperson for Fishing Forever, it makes sense that South Simcoe Police Officers are involved with such an event.

"Children look up to those in uniform and in turn the officers spend their entire careers teaching and protecting children," states Izumi.

"The Innisfil Beach Park event is a perfect way for kids to learn that these dedicated men and women care about them as individuals." Izumi's late father Joe enjoyed introducing children to fishing and, as a result, Bob has taken up the cause of using recreational fishing as a way to bring families closer and teach important life lessons to children.