Sportmen's Association's fishing derby pays tribute to its long-time champion

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Last week, on Wednesday, May 14, the Wingham Sportsmen’s Association hosted the Al Miller Memorial Community Living Fishing Day as not just a great day for the community, but as a tribute to a great man who had made the fishing derby a big part of his life. 

 

Miller passed away in February at the age of 86. He was a passionate advocate for the association and this event in particular. In fact, speaking with his widow Lucy and daughter Susan Miller at the event last week, they were both emotional, saying that the fishing day was Miller’s “baby” and he cared deeply about it, never wanting to miss one.

 

The Millers ran the Holyrood General Store for many years and were very well known to the community they so passionately served.

 

This year’s fishing day was the 55th in history, with Miller spearheading and championing the event many years ago, and members of the association, including Jeff Lockridge, who has stepped up in Miller’s absence, said it was important to the association to continue to host the fishing day to honour Miller.

 

The pond at the Wingham Sportsmen’s Club is stocked with fish for the event and members from the local Community Living chapter, as well as their caregivers and family members, are invited to try their hand at the age-old pastime of fishing. They cast out into the pond, hopeful and optimistic, and, when they have a bite and reel one in, the association members are there to clean the fish for them and take pictures that would make any angler proud.

 

Lockridge, speaking to The Citizen, said that the event is an important one on the calendar every year for the association, but that this year’s was especially important to keep Miller’s legacy alive and highlight all of the work that he’s put into an event that has persisted for generations.