When you grow up fishing and can’t get out to fish anymore, it’s nice to have an afternoon to honor those memories, said Tim MacKay, member of Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club.
“A lot of folks can’t get out to fish anymore (because of age),” MacKay told The Journal at the club’s 28th annual senior fish fry Sunday. “Everyone around here grew up fishing.”
More than 500 seniors attended the event, held at the Kerry Park Arena. The event is a charitable effort by the club.
Those who attended shared fishing stories with one another as they enjoyed a lunch of walleye and northern pike.
“If you sit and listen, 90 percent of the people talk about fishing here and there,” MacKay said.
Betty Hull attended with her sister, Marilyn Wednchuk. Fishing was a big part of their life for most of their years, they said. The two went fishing together as children, and Wednchek’s husband, who died about five years ago, was a fishing guide.
“This (event) brings back a lot of memories of him (my husband) guiding and bringing fish home,” Wednchuk said.
Hull was reminded of fishing trips with her sister and parents, when they’d excitedly pack lunches and spend the day along the shore.
“This reminds me of our childhood,” Hull said. “Mom and dad used to take us to Manitou (near Birchdale) and we’d fish off the shore.”
The two said it was their first time at the fish fry, but they’d like to attend annually from now on.
“We don’t get to eat much fish anymore, so this is nice,” Hull said.
