Perch derby raises spirit, money
By Chris Simon

A group of about 20 women fish for perch near Lefroy.

For Sarah Paiero, Saturday was all about camaraderie, friendship and perch fishing.

As part of a group of about 20 women, Paiero was nestled into the back of an ice hut off the shores of Belle Ewart, catching fish, enjoying some freshly prepared food and laughing. For her, the day is mostly about having fun and enjoying a recreational hobby with close friends.

"It's an annual thing for us," she said, after taking the hook out of a perch for friend Kerry Guy. "We all come out once a year, all the girls spend time with each other."

The group was among over 100 people who participated in the Innisfil Professional Firefighters Association's first annual perch derby, which took place on Lake Simcoe and at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 547 in Belle Ewart last weekend.

Organizers hoped to raise about $2,500 for various Lake Simcoe clean-up and preservation groups, as well as the association's community fund.

Chad Paiero, the derby's organizer, says there is a need to protect the lake's watershed.

Sarah Paiero, left, and Kerry Guy reel in a fish during the Innisfil Professional Firefighters Association's first annual perch derby Saturday.

"We're trying to raise money to give back to the lake, and some of the money will go to the community fund," he said. "It's a perch derby, so it's all fishermen that are interested in (the cause).

"It's important to raise money for the lake, because it's an asset that our fathers and grandfathers left us. You see (water quality) going down and down each year, with the pollution and building. It's just nice to see we can give back to the lake.

"We want to find a cause that's going to go right to the lake, like restocking (fish) or reducing pollution."

The community fund is used to purchase gifts for needy children at Christmas, wheelchairs for the physically disabled, and defibrillators for arenas, said Paiero.

"It all goes back to the community. We're not buying fire equipment with this, it's strictly going right back to the people," he said.

As part of the derby, the association gave away $1,000 in cash prizes. First place earned $400, second got $250 and third earned $100.

Perch were chosen for the derby because of their fame and abundance on the lake, said Paiero.

"It's one of the famous fish on our lake, people come from all over for them," he said.

"They're large on our lake, and they're a tasty fish."