SJASD hosts fishing derby in Lockport

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This article was published 30/03/2022 (1524 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CRESTVIEW

ST. JAMES-ASSINIBOIA

WESTWOOD

A group of students from John Taylor Collegiate recently nabbed first place in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division High School Ice Fishing Derby.

The derby, now in its third year, saw students from four area high schools take to the ice at Lockport, Man. on March 17 for a day of competitive angling. The derby was held in conjunction with the division’s sustainable wilderness classes.

Dustin Bruce, instructor for John Taylor Collegiate’s sustainable wilderness class, arrived on the ice before dawn to help other teachers and volunteers pre-drill holes for the students.

By the time the competition closed at 11:30 a.m., John Taylor Collegiate had reeled in the title of biggest fish — a tie between Quinn Collins’ 15-inch walleye and Jarren Choken’s 15-inch sauger.

“When I caught it I instantly knew that I caught the biggest fish, or probably tied for first place,” said Choken, a Grade 12 student. “It was a really fun experience to go out and win it.”

The award for most fish caught was a tie between John Taylor Collegiate’s Michael McCarthy and Laryssa Foster, who both caught 12 fish.

“Within five minutes I caught the first fish,” Foster said. “It was a really nice day.”

The school’s top five most impressive fish, measured end to end, were a combined 71.5 inches.

“I don’t know if it was our spot or if it’s just the amazing charisma we have that draws the fish to us,” joked 16-year-old Kendra McLaughlin. “After we caught so many fish, there were people from other schools coming over to the holes we were at.”

Second place in the derby went to Westwood Collegiate. The school’s best five fish measured a combined total of 67.25 inches.

St. James Collegiate’s best five catches measured a combined total of 65.5 inches, the biggest of which was caught by John Muth. Muth also brought home the most fish for his school.

Funnily enough, Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, the school with a type of fish in its name, came in fourth place this year. The school narrowly placed behind St. James Collegiate with its top five fish measuring a combined 65 inches.

All four schools caught and measured a total of 173 fish, the majority of which were sauger.

Throughout the winter term, students in Bruce’s sustainable wilderness class learned about winter safety and leisure. Students went snowshoeing and skiing and tried their hands at building a quinzhee.

Bruce’s students are looking forward to capping off the year with a three-day backcountry canoe trip around Dogtooth Lake, Ont. Leading up to the trip, the students will be taught outdoor survival skills such as water filtration, bear safety, campfire cooking, and fire building.

Grade 11 student Cody Grimstrup said he’s excited to go open water fishing during the excursion.

“It’s all about experiential education,” Bruce said. “Everyone kind of starts off at the same level, and they all grow so much. It’s awesome to see.”

Bruce hopes students will find an activity that speaks to them through the sustainable wilderness class — an activity they will pursue well into adulthood.