Bay Saint Lawrence Fishing Derby and Crab Fest 20th Anniversary

Tomorrow—17 July 2011—is the annual Bay Saint Lawrence Fishing Derby and Crab Fest. The Bay Saint Lawrence Fire Department organizes this unique event, which is embraced by the residents’ of Bay Saint Lawrence and the surrounding communities of Northern Cape Breton. For twenty years, locals who have moved away to work and travellers from away plan their vacation around this date.

Twenty years ago I was twelve years old and was an eager participant in the Derby. Tomorrow, I will be responsible for tabulating the results of the fish with my good friend Amy.  Twenty years ago I was so excited to use the jig and pull in fish, after fish, after fish in our old wooden boat the Nancy and Sherry. Tomorrow, I will be on shore with my volunteer fire fighter pager. Times have changed, but the fun in the fishing remains the same: the best part of the Derby is watching the kids win.

 Nearly every local business donates a prize, so the Derby is a wonderful fundraiser for the Fire Hall. However, though the Derby is a local treasure, what most people travel to Bay Saint Lawrence for tomorrow is the Snow Crab Fest. All of the snow crab for the Festival is donated by local fishermen. The fishermen take pride in both catching and donating the crab. Volunteers at the Fire Hall take pride in preparing and serving the crab.

The Bay Saint Lawrence Fishing Derby and Crab Fest offers you a unique home-cooked experience:

Home-caught fish for a home-run Derby.

Home-caught crab. Home-cooked crab.

Home-served cab. Homemade volunteers.

It is a great day and I hope to see you with some fish and eating some snow crab.

I Love Fishing

The lobster fishery is in full swing on the shores at the top of Nova Scotia. I have been a lobster fisherman all my life and have no plans of quitting anytime soon. I fish on the shore's of Cape Breton out of the lovely port of Bay Saint Lawrence, the most Northern fishing port in all of Nova Scotia. Our little port is also home to a lucrative Atlantic snow-crab fishery, which opens in July, a trawl (long-line) fishery, which targets delicious Halibut, and a mackerel fishery that starts in the fall. The dragging in our area has dwindled, but some boats still catch grey sole or flounder. Aside from the dragging, I have participated in every fishery that our region currently offers and I love them all!  I love the challenge of the North Atlantic waters and our famous tides. I love the last light of the sun, after it sets, when you are trying to squeeze every moment of work in you can before the day turns to dark. I love working with my family, whether it be with my father, mother, sister and brother aboard the Oshan, or my cousins when I help on other boats. Simply put: I love fishing. Do you know what I love the most about fishing? Eating my catch. Yes, in 2004 after graduating on the Dean’s list with an Honours degree, I turned my back on the academic world because I love eating fresh fish. There is just something special about catching it, cleaning it and then cooking it yourself. I love pan-fried lobster, crab keish, smoked mackerel and barbecued halibut. The next time you are in my area, stop at one of the many wharfs from Neil’s Harbour to Bay Saint Lawrence and ask a local “where can I get some fresh fish?” You will be surprised at what you find; afterwards, ask the local “how can I cook it?” and you will be amazed.