Running in its 18th year, the Ryan Savary Memorial Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, August 25 at the Michichi Reservoir, with $600 in cash prizes to be won.
Held in memory of Ryan Savary, his father, Alex Savary, said it is a way to bring people together to enjoy a day of being in the outdoors and catching some fish.
“It’s always a lovely bunch of people who come out every year, and it’s always a blast,” said Savary.
Ryan passed away in 1993 when he was just 17 years old, after he was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident. His father said Ryan had three passions in life: fishing, golfing, and marathon running.
“He was unfortunately taken away from us much too early, but this is one way we remember him,” said Savary.
He said, shortly before his son’s passing, Ryan and his best friend, Greg St. Laurent had wanted to start up a fishing derby. Following his death, St. Laurent kickstarted the derby in his honour.
Originally beginning in Hanna, the fishing derby was later moved to Michichi Reservoir.
“Ryan and Greg used to fish at Michichi quite often. People always love the fishing spot. I’ve travelled to many places and I can’t even match (Michichi) to anything,” said Savary.
The derby runs from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 25. Entrants will be accepted until 11:00 a.m. and registration for the event must occur before fishing. There are many prizes to be won, including the $600 in cash winnings, as mentioned above.
“I’m hoping to keep this derby going even long after I’m gone,” said Savary.
