Whew, how all of these elements blend together in this 2020-2021 season. First, we have to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. After having put in place a sanitary plan that is flawless in the eyes of public health, we get the approval to start this new season of fishing for tomcod. The outfitters are delighted and encouraged by this long awaited green light. There is no time to lose as Mother Nature has given us the gift of a mild and pleasant fall so as soon as the cold weather arrives and the river has covered its thin icy coat, we will start watering to thicken the ice. It’s a done deal and if everything continues to fall into place, we’ll proceed with the opening on schedule. What a pleasant thought to be able to take advantage of this winter to welcome our customers while respecting the sanitary measures imposed by the public health be reassured.some days it is cold but we feel that the winter has difficulties to take its place so much that a few days before Christmas, we are announced a big quantity of rain. Is it worrying for all the work already done? We have to follow the weather forecast from hour to hour to see if it will come and there is no room for error because the poles have been planted, the electric wires have been connected and the sentinels have already been installed to be able to light up our beautiful fishing territory for the little fishes of the channels. And here the decision is made, we have to remove everything for fear that the strong currents generated by the rain will take with them the ice so dearly acquired. On December 25, 2020, Christmas Day, the ice was gone and the opening of the fishing season was cancelled; what a Christmas present! It was decided that we would not give up. The mild weather lasted for a while and finally in January, the river refroze and hopes were once again allowed to rise to the great relief of the outfitters although half of them had decided not to undertake this next season which would be shortened of course.
As of today, January 14, 2021, we are still not in operation but the cold weather forecasted in the next few days makes us believe that all this work will not have been done in vain and that small channel fishing on the Ste-Anne River will be able to experience its 83rd season. This season will be very different from all the previous ones but it is perhaps the one we will remember the longest.
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