O’LEARY – To Lee Cowan, the Trout River Natural Area is more than the place she works.
“It’s a hidden gem,” said the natural area manager. “Come in off the highway and all of a sudden you’re in a totally different world.”
In a video Cowan helped produce for a World Fishing Network contest, the Trout River Natural Area is referred to as the crown jewel of the Trout River Watershed.
The contest submission helped put O’Leary, P.E.I. in the running for the WFN’s contest prize of $25,000 and the title of Ultimate Fishing Town. The town that gets the most votes will also be featured on a half-hour show on North America’s only 24/7 fishing channel.
O’Leary is right in the middle of the 26,000 acre Trout River watershed. The natural area near Coleman Corner takes up 157 acres of the watershed and includes four kilometers of groomed trails, numerous fishing holes (including one that seniors and people with disabilities can drive right up to) and a log cabin interpretive centre, which is staffed 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the trout-fishing season. There fishing stories, and pictures to prove their authenticity, abound.
“When the group (O’Leary Wildlife Federation and, subsequently, Prince County Chapter of Trout Unlimited) started working on Trout River it was beaver-infested, alder and silt-ridden and in the time that we’ve been putting a concerted effort on, it has become one of, if not the best, trout fishing destinations in P.E.I.,” said Dale Cameron, Project coordinator for the Prince County Chapter.
Trout River, he said, has probably the densest population of brook trout in P.E.I.
“There’s no question that, over the long-term, enhancement efforts have worked,” Cameron proclaimed.
On Tuesday the Fishing Network announced the 10 finalists for the title of Canada’s Ultimate Fishing Town.
As of Wednesday O’Leary, one of only two towns east of Ontario to make the cut, was in last place in online voting, but Cowan is hopeful Islanders will get online and vote often. One vote can be cast per email address every 12 hours until the contest closes on Sept. 28.
Port Alberni, B.C., was leading the way with 6,520 votes Wednesday afternoon. Dauphin, Man., was in second place, about 1,000 votes behind. Another thousand back in third place was Nestor Falls, Ont. All other entries were well back, but Cowan pointed out online voting had only been underway for one day. There’s time for O’Leary to climb the ladder, she said.
Wherever O’Leary places, both Cowan and Cameron agree the exposure the WFN contest brings to the community is positive.
“It will hopefully broaden the demographics,” Cameron said. “Part of our goal is to get more community involvement."
Supporters can cast their votes at www.wfn.tv/fishingtown.
