Camilla Faragalli, reporter

Funded by the Local Journalism Initiative

An assortment of brightly coloured jackets and ski-doos dotted the frozen white surface of Lac de la Ferme in Otter Lake on Saturday; contestants at the 3rd annual ice-fishing derby hosted by the municipality’s RA.
“It’s very successful so far,” said Shane Presley, president of the Otter Lake RA and a key organizer of the event. He explained that 184 fishermen had registered and more were on their way.
Presley said the day had begun before breakfast for many of the contestants present.
“We were out drilling holes [in the ice] at 5:30 [a.m.].”
Presley explained that the derby would be won by the fisherman who caught the longest fish.
“They have to bring them in alive,” he said, adding that $500 in prize money would be split between the top three contenders. He said that while some fishermen would keep their catch, most just threw them back in the lake after having them measured.
Devon Lafleur and his friends were taking the competition seriously, with playing cards fastened onto stationary lines set up in several places on the frozen lake.
“Instead of always going to jig it [the line], it [the card] makes it look like the minnows are alive and swimming,” Lafleur explained.
“The wind catches on the line so it moves the minnow. That’s how come nobody else has any fish and we have five.”
Yan Leduc and Carl Vincent said they were participating in the derby as part of a family tradition, and were waiting on more family members to show up.
“I grew up fishing around this area, my father has an outfitter around here,” Leduc explained. “I think it’s just seeing friends, being outside, we’ve got nice conditions today. I’m super happy to be here.”
Rachelle Villeneuve, who attended with her mother and children, had a similar story.
“It’s my hometown. We’ve come every year that it’s been organized since I was little,” she said, explaining that while the derby was in its third official year, ice-fishing tournaments have been held annually in Otter Lake for decades.
For Annick Lance, who was fishing with a large group of family members, the event was all about supporting the community.
“We like to encourage Otter Lake. We’re from here,” she said.
The all-day event on Saturday also included a poker tournament, breakfast, lunch and dinner options, 40-plus prizes to be won by derby contestants and a dance in the evening featuring DJ Fletcher of Shawville.
“It was too cold the last couple years but this year was fantastic,” said Presley, “This was our third year and this was the best overall.”