At the turn of the century, the Club began hosting events to give everyone in the community the opportunity to enjoy the experience of fishing: the Fishing Challenge held at various locations in the K-W area and the Trout Pond at Kitchener's Sportsmen's Show..

Through to 2008, the Fishing Challenge was an annual event, getting bigger and more demanding each year. Local challenged citizens were treated to a fishing outing at a well-stocked pond, provided with a picnic lunch and given some souvenir gifts commemorating the occasion. Optimist Club members hosted the outing and ensured everyone had a really, really good time!

For 2008, the Fishing Challenge took place on Saturday morning, September 6th at Dave & Deb Mallard's pond at their property near St. Jacobs.

The photos in the Photo Album include some of the catches from Challenges held in 2001 through 2007. The event in 2007 was enjoyed by 29 guests who were treated to the catch & release excitement and were served hot dogs, chips and beverages by Optimist Club members.

Unfortunately the Club's limited manpower resources could not continue doing justice to these two fishing events so, under Ron Bauman's leadership, the Club's focus wrt fishing shifted to the School Fishing Program.