Twenty Years of PIIFA

It all started back in 2004 with a few ice fishermen sitting in a hut at Petrie discussing ideas on how to combat the increase of vandalism, thefts and break-ins of that season. A few beers were shared and many ideas were tossed around. In the end, the group decided to start an association of Petrie Island ice fishermen. The main task of the association would be to bring hut owners together, so everyone could get to know each other and become a more tight-knit group for better security.

One of the first decisions made by the group back in February 2004 was to elect Big Al Macintyre as president of the association. So, a few beers; some brainstorming; and the Petrie Island Ice Fishermen's Association was born.

One of Big Al's first tasks as president was to figure how best to communicate with his fellow fishermen and the decision was made to start a website for the ice fishing community of Petrie Island. The website would issue security alerts but would also be used as tool to share resources with fellow ice fishermen including ice fishing news, photos, ice conditions and the fishermen's forum.

In the years to follow, the website expanded as on-ice security became almost a non-issue as we learned to watch out for each other and share information on security issues.

Later, PIIFA became huge. PIIFA was featured in almost every type of Ottawa media including blogs, magazines, newspapers, radio and television. They all wanted a piece of us every season. The core group of PIIFA members has organized on-ice events including the hugely popular PIIFA ice fishing derby that to date has raised over $3,000.00 for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

In 2023, Big Al stepped back from his duties and turned things over to the Beaudoin Family, who now run PIIFA through The PIIFA Facebook pagend the Petrie Island Bait Shop.

Thanks to all the people who have made 20 years of PIIFA possible including The Beaudoin Family, Jocelyn Bélanger, Bidou, Big Mo, Dan Boisvenue, Louis Cloutier, Nat Cloutier, Ann Gauy, Mike Ghazarian, Matt Grandmaitre, Yves Grandmaitre, Bob Gregoire, Alan Heaney, Billy Hum, Guy Jolivet, Marc Joly, Marc Leclair, Al Macintyre, Francine Martin, Sylvain Michaud, Sylvain Perrier, Len Porquet, Bob Presland, Roger from Roger's Tavern, Steve Sowa, Clay Young, Ron Zinn and many more!