For Madeline Swan, the fourth grade St. Mary’s school student who loves to draw and loves to fish, it was a match made in contest heaven.
Last fall, when Madeline learned from her mom Tanya about the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s annual Kids’ Fish Art Contest she sat down and painted a prize-winning Aurora Trout. She started out painting a Bullhead fish but quickly decided the Aurora Trout would be more fun.
Turns out Madeline made the right decision. Her watercolour painting placed first in the grade four to six category. Madeline attended the Toronto Sportsman Show this week where her winning piece was displayed. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Deputy Minister, Bill Thornton, was on hand to present her with her award and prizes.
Madeline’s winning water colour of an Aurora Trout
Madeline is equally enthusiastic about art and fishing. “I’ve done art for as long as I can remember and I love to fish. The farthest back I can remember fishing is me and my Dad in Baysville and I caught a sunfish.” She says she didn’t take the fish off the hook but she did hold it.
Although the Aurora Trout is not found in waters around Muskoka, Madeline says she has a chance to fish in the Mattawa area every summer and hopes to hook an Aurora this year. “It would be a surprise to catch an Aurora trout and see if it matches my drawing.”
The first place award included fishing gear for Madeline and art supplies for her class. “I have a new fishing hat, a net, fishing rod and tackle box with a whole bunch of lures.”
On return from March Break Madeline’s class will receive a very nice surprise when they learn that her first-place finish means they receive $500 in art supplies.
As well, Madeline’s winning Aurora Trout will adorn hundreds of the 2016 fishing licenses for kids. This was a surprise, even to Madeline.
“It’s pretty amazing and I didn’t know that was going to be one of the awards. They didn’t just give me one (kids’ license) they gave me about 500. I’m going to give them away. I could give them away to my whole school and then have leftovers.”
Asked if she would participate in the contest again, Madeline said definitely and then revealed one of the secrets to her success. “Tell me about it three days before I have to send it because then I am kind of rushed and more concentrated on it and that’s how I won this award.”
We are pretty sure she won the award because she has a keen sense of colour and style and knows a good looking fish when she sees one. Well done, Madeline.
To view the contest rules and the other contest winners click here.
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