Thank You for an Amazing First Annual Barry Reicker Memorial Fishing Derby!
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made the First Annual Barry Reicker Memorial Fishing Derby a smashing success!
Participants: Thank you to all the anglers who came out, fished their hearts out, and made the day truly memorable. Your enthusiasm and sportsmanship were incredible!
Volunteers: A huge shoutout to our dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Your hard work and commitment ensured everything ran smoothly, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Sponsors: We are immensely grateful to our generous sponsors for donating amazing prizes and supporting this event. Your contributions made the derby even more exciting and rewarding for everyone involved.
Attendees: Thank you to everyone who came out to support the event, enjoy the BBQ, and join in the fun. Your presence and participation helped create a fantastic atmosphere.
This day was a beautiful tribute to Barry David Reicker, celebrating his love for fishing and the Belleisle Bay community. Let’s keep his spirit alive and continue supporting the Belleisle Watershed Coalition in their fantastic work for our local environment.
We look forward to seeing you all again next year for another unforgettable day of fishing and camaraderie!
Tight lines and thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Pelican Kayak Winner – Carla Hatfield
Copper Shore Lakehouse Retreat – Evan Dearman
Belle’s Classic Grill & Valley View Gift Card – Alex Johnston
In memory of one of Belleisle Bay’s finest, Barry David Reicker, the Perch Dads and the Belleisle Watershed Coalition (BWC) would like to invite one and all to join us for a fun filled day of fishing, reminiscing, and PRIZES!
There will be a cash barbeque on the wharf from 11am to 5pm, selling hotdogs/hamburgers, pop and water.
We will also be roasting a small pig on a spit! That’s right, the spit will be making an appearance, and operated by spit master Guillaume Savoie! We’ll have it ready for around 5, and eat after the prizes! Plates will be by donation.
If you cannot make it to the event but would like to donate to this great cause, donations can be sent to the same email address as the registration fees.
To be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, base of operations will be the Hatfield Point wharf. Anglers who choose to partake that day, will be asked to pay a fee of $25, that will go towards supporting the operation of the BWC Adventure Summer Camp. The BWC are a great group of volunteers, doing some great work behind the scenes, looking out for our watershed and its wildlife. They also employ multiple local summer students each year and put on a terrific camp for our local youth. It’s a cause that we all know Barry would get behind and be proud to support.
The Belleisle Watershed Coalition is a charitable organization, and receipts can be given.
All registered anglers must depart from Hatfield Point Wharf.
Prizes and support are coming in fast and furious! Let’s keep up the momentum, and make this a day to remember! We look forward to seeing everyone on the wharf! Tight lines!
Check out the prize packages available to be won each valued at over $100!
There will be a first-place prize package for the longest fish in three different species in adult and children divisions: small mouth bass, pickerel, and yellow perch. As well, as some fantastic registration prizes!
Your $25 registration fee enters you in the grand prize draws, no catch required.
A Pelican Mission 100 Kayak with Paddle and rooftop carrier donated by Evoqua / Xylem
Enjoy a one night stay at a luxury private waterfront lake house donated by Copper Shore and Bellebay Contruction!
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our incredible sponsors for making the First Annual Barry Reicker Memorial Fishing Derby possible. Your generous donations and support have provided us with amazing prizes and helped ensure a successful event in honor of Barry.
Your contributions not only enhance the derby experience but also support the vital work of the Belleisle Watershed Coalition. Together, we’re making a difference in our community and preserving our beautiful watershed for future generations.
Barry was born and raised in Gods country, Belleisle. His schooling and work took him all over the world. He has seen more of the world than 99% of people will, but his favorite place of all was the Belleisle Bay. He could usually be found for hours at a time in his basement, or out in the driveway busting his knuckles wrenching on some leaky project boat, in hopes of even one successful, maintenance free evening of fishing the sunset.
Like a lot of people in our lives, old boats come and go but some friends, fishing friends, are friends for life. Barry was that friend to many people. Barry was the founder of the “Perch Dads”. Basically, if you were a dad, a good friend of Barry’s, and loved to fish as much as him, you were added to the group whether you wanted to be or not. Some of us barely knew each other. What started as kind of a fishing forum, quickly became so much more. Whether it was building a house, or moving a couch, needed advice, or a place to rant, or a funny meme before work to start your day, Perch Dads have always been there for one another. Barry did that. So, the Perch Dads wanted to do something for him in memorial. Obviously, a fishing tournament was the only option. Think of the BWC as kind of the guardian angels looking over the Belleisle Bay, and its tributaries just as we like to think that Barry’s are guardian angel watching over all of us.
Boundaries will be from the Dike or Ducks Unlimited to Erbs Cove, will also include Jenkins Cove and anywhere in between. Note that the Dike is considered fresh water, and a fishing license is required. The rest of the boundary area is considered tidal and does not require a license. Of course, all provincial and federal fishing regulations must be abided by. You may fish from shore or boat.
This will be a catch and release tournament. We’ll be asking for a picture, with a clear and proper measurement (across their side, tip of the lips to tip of a folded in tail, if with a tape measure). Bump boards are always best, and most accurate, but not required. All registered anglers will also receive a “custom 3-D printed coin” to be included with all pics, to ensure all fish are actually caught on derby day. You can then send an email or Facebook message with your pics and code to the Watershed, and follow the live leader board. Please be sure to follow and like the Belleisle Watershed Coalition Facebook Page Here, prior to Derby day so you can easily access and message the leaderboard team from your Facebook messenger app. In the event of poor cellphone signal there will be two catch reporting stations located at the dike and at the Wharf.
Please check your email (and spam folder) for a final email message from the Derby Organizers about tomorrow morning!
If you have not done so, please send your $25 registration e-transfer to belleislewatershed@gmail.com
Safe Boating Tips:
Fishing Safety Practices:
Water Safety Tips:
I want to extend my deepest gratitude for all the kind words and compliments I received during the First Annual Barry Reicker Memorial Fishing Derby. It has been an absolute pleasure to build the derby website and manage the live leaderboard for this fantastic event.
As someone who truly loves helping out the community and supporting great causes like this fishing derby, I was thrilled to contribute my technical skills and know-how to make this event a success. Working with the Belleisle Watershed Coalition (BWC) is something I am passionate about, as I firmly believe in the incredible work they do to preserve our beautiful Belleisle Watershed and beyond.
I poured countless hours of my heart and creativity into this project, and seeing the joy and excitement it brought to so many people made it all worthwhile. If you don’t see your fishing catch photos or any other memorable moments on the site, please continue to email me at chris@gotoit.tech. I will happily add your photos as soon as possible.
Thank you once again for your support and kind words. It means the world to me to be part of such a wonderful community.
Chris ❤️
Proceeds from this event will directly support the Belleisle Watershed Adventure Camp which is operated by Belleisle Watershed Coalition and the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John