The 19th annual Courtenay and District Fish ad Game Protective Association (CDFGPA) Outdoor Show takes place at the clubhouse grounds this weekend (June 4-5) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
There is no admission fee, but a donation of a non-perishable food item would be appreciated. They will be collected and delivered to the Comox Valley Food Bank.
Start your show attendance by taking in the reasonably priced pancake breakfast served each morning – a great family treat. Throughout the day the club serves gourmet hamburgers and hot dogs plus a covered outdoor beer garden.
The 2011 show is based on a historical western theme as reflected in the successful restoration of a small western community with all of its exciting cowboy action theatrics. The theme will be woven into the traditional outdoor sports of fishing and hunting, with a continuous flow of hayrides from the main grounds to the Pioneer Village complete with a full range of cowboy action events.
There are 40 local exhibitors plus many family oriented events: building a bird house, a live fish tank for budding anglers, trap and
skeet display, opportunity to learn archery for beginners, paint ball action, pellet gun shooting, home bake sale and tea room, fly tying demonstrations by Comox Valley Fly Fishing Club, dragon boat races, helicopter rides (weather permitting), lively western-style music throughout the event, plus much more.
We will hear much of the virtues of developing locally initiated events in the future. The CDFGPA outdoor show is an outstanding example of local leadership in the field of outdoor recreation with emphasis on conservation, recreational fishing and hunting and connected outdoor sports.
If you are a Valley resident and have not visited the CDFGPA grounds and facilities I urge you to take this opportunity to visit one of the most successful conservation-oriented fish and game clubs in all of Canada. If you are a recent resident to the Valley come and see this local outdoor showcase – you may wish to get involved. If you are a tourist travelling through our Island paradise come and enjoy some old-fashioned western hospitality from this generous community minded conservation oriented fish and game club situated on the spellbindingly beautiful shoreline of Comox Lake. To get to the celebrations travel up Lake Trail Road out of Courtenay and follow the signs to the grounds – you can’t miss it. Eanjoy the show.
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The Fishing Forever Program from May 30 to June 9, as developed by the British Columbia Wildlife Federation and sponsored by the CDFGPA, is a classic case of service to the community by those still able to participate in this enriching activity of recreational fishing to those with limited abilities to participate – whether it be through the aging process or other limiting factors. The program is based on the philosophy that recreational fishing is one of the few hobbies we can participate in throughout our lives.
Ron Watanabe, vice-president of the club, has chaired this event for several years and he listed the participating groups for the 2011 event: Evergreen Seniors, Options Program, Saint Joseph Extensive Care Unit, Casa Loma Lodge, Glacier View Lodge, Cumberland Lodge, Comox Valley Mental Health, Isfeld Life Skills Program, Comox Valley Head Injuries Program, Aspen School Life Skills, Suntori Special Needs Program, Quest Special Needs. If I missed any group please accept my apologies.
The program takes place at the CDFGPA fishing pond that is stocked with catchable trout for the event by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of British Columbia. It goes without saying that this program needs much support from club members who help many of these anglers on a one-on-one basis.
In talking with Ron about the program it is particularity easy for the participants to catch fish this year due to the low waters conditions in the pond which is controlled by the lake levels of Comox Lake. It is hard to express the joy and happiness many of these challenged anglers get out of successfully landing a prime trout, and then being able to take it home for a special meal. This is a continuing example that the CDFGPA is a many faceted organization that serves the community in a variety of ways.
Ralph Shaw is a master fly fisherman who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984 for his conservation efforts. In 20 years of writing a column in the Comox Valley Record it has won several awards.
