Family fun fishing day brings anglers of all ages

The Blackstone Valley Tribune
May 2016

UXBRIDGE — Seventy-one people registered and lined the banks of the Blackstone Valley River and Canal State Park in Uxbridge on Saturday, May 21 for the 2016 Family Fun Fishing Day. Co-hosted by the Blackstone River Watershed Association, Alternatives Unlimited, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Fish and Game, the cost-free day of fishing involved people of all ages and abilities.

Experts, beginners, and kids alike casted-out beside one another for a chance to win a variety of prizes broken up by age categories. Winners were decided based off criteria including quantity of fish caught, length of fish,

and most unique catch. Prizes consisted of tackle boxes filled with fishing equipment, fishing rods, and gift cards to Fin and Feather (located at 10 Milford Street in Upton).

Winners included:

12 and under:

• Longest fish – Carp 22.5” – Kevin Collette
• Most fish – 28 – Griffin Beauleiu

13-17:

• Longest fish – Sunfish 6.25” – Francelle Cintron

18 and up:

• Longest fish – Carp 15” – Patrick Benoit
• Most fish – (tie) Eight – Ronald Beardworth and Jorge Caraballo
• Most Unique Catch – Turtle – Unknown participant

The event was “catch and release” and the Canal was not stocked with fish prior. Alternatives provided the funding for the event through their Alternative’s Community Bridging Grant in addition to donations from W. H. Webb Construction, Inc. (located at 292 Partridge Hill Road in Charlton).