Rotary stocking Inch Park pool with 700 trout

Inch Park pool is once again being turned into the best fishing hole in town.

It’s the Urban Fishing Derby and this year the Rotary Club of Hamilton Sunset is giving 450 people with special needs for a chance to go fishing.

The public’s invited, too, notes club president Michael Ward.

The annual derby was started 20 years ago by Denny Leeson, an avid fisherman who shared his passion with his daughter Sherry, born with Down's syndrome. He developed contacts with social agencies that support people with special needs in the greater Hamilton area and drew on his fellow fishermen for hands-on help.

As the annual derby grew, Rotary Club of Hamilton Sunset chipped in by stocking the pool. The club bestowed its highest non-member honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, on Mr. Leeson for his efforts.

“Denny’s an amazing guy,” said Mr. Ward.

Each year, the city fills the pool with fresh water just for the event and the pool is stocked with about 700 trout. Members of the Dofasco fishing club help bait the hooks.

After the derby, the pool is drained and cleaned, it’s refilled for the summer swimming season.