NORTHERN VISITOR CENTRES TO LOAN FREE FISHING RODS
August 5th, 2011
- Accent Inn founder Terry Farmer enjoys fishing with his Grandchildren
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC), the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Tourism BC and the Angler’s Atlas have joined forces to create the Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program which will help promote sport fishing in Northwestern BC.
“British Columbia has some of the best fishing and this program enables anyone in the Quesnel, Williams Lake, Prince George or Terrace areas, caught without a fishing rod handy, to try out one of our favorite pastimes,” said Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell. “The Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program is an example of creative collaboration among agencies passionate about what they do and resulting in great outdoor experiences.”
The Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program will address a problem faced by many vacationing anglers who do not travel with fishing equipment and local residents who do not own their own equipment. Under this unique program, anglers can make one stop at one of the participating visitor centres where they can purchase a freshwater fishing licence, borrow a rod, reel and tackle box, get the latest information on local fishing hot spots and then try their luck with a day at the lake. Sport fishing is an important part of the province’s tourism industry, and the Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program is just one more way of promoting sport fishing and creating new tourism opportunities across B.C.
“Over the past decade we’ve been steadily reducing the barriers to sport fishing,” said FFSBC President Don Peterson. “We’re stocking lakes, we’re improving fishing opportunities, we’re teaching would-be anglers how to fish and now we’re even loaning people fishing gear.”
The Go Fish BC! Rod Loan Program will be offered through visitor centres in Terrace, Prince George, Williams Lake and Quesnel. Each centre has been provided with 20 loan rods, basic fishing tackle, materials outlining easily accessible local fishing opportunities and fishing tips and tricks. The visitor centres will also provide an on-line service where anglers can purchase freshwater fishing licences.
“The program partners are now providing visitors to BC with free rods, free tackle, free fishing information and even fish, stocked in local lakes,” said Angler’s Atlas President Sean Simmons. “Visitors just need to bring their spirit of adventure.”
Remember, when your traveling around BC and staying at an Accent Inn, show us your fishing license and through our “Fish for the Future” program we’ll make a donation to the FFSBC.