This weekend is the annual Free Fishing Weekend sponsored by the Jeffrey G. Pyne Endowment Fund and the Bill Yarlott Youth Fishing Derby on April 23.

Get the island kids outdoors to enjoy the incredible northwest and develop skills that they can turn into lifelong hobbies this weekend. If a child (age 13 and under) doesn’t have any fishing equipment, we encourage you to come to the dock on Friday afternoon (after 3pm) or on the morning of April 23rd and pick up a free fishing pole, some tackle and some bait and start out the season learning how to fish. Then it’s time to go fishing in this beautiful place we are lucky enough to call home. You can also enter the Bill Yarlott Youth Derby if you catch a fish! First, Second and Third Prizes will be given to the biggest fish caught! Thanks to Jeffrey G. Pyne Endowment Fund, the poles, tackle and bait are yours to keep as we hope you continue to pursue fishing for the remaining season!

Join us for the 26th Annual Bill Yarlott Youth Fishing Derby, an event that has become a rite of passage for our island kids: Saturday, April 23, Cascade Lake Boat Rental Dock. Fishing starts at sunrise (or after)!

• 8 a.m. – Free fishing pole giveaway (until we run out).

• 12-3 p.m. – Fish measurement on the boat rental dock at Cascade Lake.

• After 3 p.m. -Winners will be announced.

Any child 13 and under can participate. The event is hosted by Orcas Adventures.