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Angling lending program takes off

The Terrace visitor information centre will be assisting anglers this summer as it is now ready to loan out fishing rods and tackle boxes for anyone looking to hook a few fish.
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Darrin Rigo shows off the fishing rod and tackle box equipment that is now available on loan from the Terrace visitor information centre.

The Terrace visitor information centre will be assisting anglers this summer as it is now ready to loan out fishing rods and tackle boxes for anyone looking to hook a few fish.

The program is called Go Fish BC and is in its pilot year here in Terrace. The program aims to introduce newcomers to fishing in the area and assist tourists who aren’t toting their gear.

Go Fish B.C. was tested out last year in Prince George. It has  spread to Terrace, Williams Lake and Quesnel this year. Each centre is now equipped with 20 rods and basic fishing tackle.

Margot Briggs from the Freshwater Fish Society, one of the groups involved in the initiative, said the program was well received in Prince George and that has led to its expansion.

“The idea is to increase participation in fishing,” Briggs explained.

She adds the equipment may stay available year round in Terrace if it is received well this summer and fall.

And it will be a one-stop-shop for Terrace participants as the visitor information centre will also sell day-fishing licenses. Anyone borrowing gear will be required to leave a deposit on a credit card.

Executive director for Kermodei Tourism Graham Genge said the program will be a great way to get new people involved in angling.

“I think the locals can really benefit from it because we’ve got 20 rods there available, so if there is anyone who is interested in getting into fishing and they don’t have any equipment they can come out and try it for a day,” Genge said.

He adds the program is also directed at tourists, mostly families, who are new to the sport or simply travelling without gear.

“Fishing is a huge target market for us, not only guided fishing, but all the way down to those new anglers,” Genge said. “It’s a big focus.”

Along with a basic rod and tackle box, people will be given information about fishing and the region. Genge hopes to make more people aware about what is out there for this region as well as how to fish responsibly.

“Being a responsible angler..... it goes a long way to keeping the area clean and helping to promote the area as a great destination,” he said.

He said most of the information given will be directed towards lake fishing.

The program is a four-part effort by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and The Anglers Atlas and Tourism B.C.