The spirit of Port Hope shined through even if the weather didn’t as people joined together to clean up the banks of the Ganarasaka River on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
Salmon fishing season ended in the river on October 1, but there was still lots to clean up that was left behind from anglers.
There was a steady rain and at times it poured, but that didn’t stop the 10 volunteers cleaning up all sorts of garbage.
Spearheaded by Adam Pearson from Queenies Bake Shop the group met at his store at 5 p.m.
“We decided to do a river side clean-up. Unfortunately fishing line breaks and it sometimes gets left behind.”
“Now that fishing season is over we decided to get a big crew together and go up and down the river to clean it up.”
Groups walked up and down the river on both sides in downtown ever though the weather wasn’t cooperating.
“The weather hasn’t been great, but if we don’t do it now the water will come up and wash all the fishing line into the lake which is exactly what we don’t want to happen. We’re trying to save the wildlife.”
Most salmon die naturally after spawning and there were dead fish in some areas of the river that volunteers pushed down the river and hopefully into the lake.
There were all types of garbage including pop cans, and cups, but Pearson said it was mainly fishing line the groups were retrieving.
“I realize when you’re fishing, fishing line breaks frequently. But a lot of it there was still hooks on it where people had just cut their line and left it there.”
Pearson said on some weekends there are approximately 10,000 people on a weekend to just watch the fish going up the river.
“It’s incredible to fish the Ganaraska River and a lot of anglers really enjoy it and so do thousands of people who watch from along the shoreline.”
Sue Anne Woodward spent her birthday cleanup along the river.
“It helps the environment and it looks nicer now. I’ll be doing it again.”
After the banks of the river downtown were clean Woodward said she was going home to relax in the hot tub while her husband cooked supper.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
