Pickerel Fish Fry

By Veronica Mercer

Originally published on May 26th, 2024

The Noëlville & District Rod & Gun Club - Pickerel Fish Fry, took place at the club’s address of 5438 Hwy 64, Noëlville. The event is always a long-awaited gathering for the community, and it takes place annually.

I had a chance to sit down and learn some interesting information regarding the club and its annual fish fry with Cyril Monette. I, like many others, believed the Pickerel Fish Fry to be a purely NDRGC event but that’s not the case.

“It was originally started by Percy Guerin at the walleye pool in Wolseley Bay. In his last year of serving the community he had around 800 people show up. His success unfortunately was what kept him from continuing, it just got too big. That’s how the club took over. Our first year of putting it on we served about 150 people, but the next year, the next year was bigger. There happened to be a wedding the same weekend as our fish fry, and we ended up serving 300 guests. We seemed to stay around there for the most part but then covid-19 really messed up our numbers.”

-Cyril Monette

EXERCISE!? We thought you said EXTRA FRIES!

Edith Carriere with young helper, Taylor Mercer, at the payment & condiment station.

Now, even though mother nature couldn’t decide whether it was to be a rainy day or not, the event was still considered a great success. Between 3pm-7pm we served 290 guests! The numbers are coming back up, the proof is in the sales! With this community’s involvement we were able to bring in over $2700! We are hopeful with the money that we may put some much-needed TLC into the club and its grounds.                     

We are so beyond happy to continue to serve the community of Noëlville & District, without whom, none of our goals could be achieved! Here’s to you, French River, and we can’t wait to see you all again at the next fish fry!

My special thanks to Teresa Fryer, your committee and amazing volunteers for the wonderful job you did on the May 11th, 2024 - Pickerel Fish Fry. The customers were delighted with the food and most could not wait the drive home before stealing some fries! It is a joy for me to work with such dedicated and talented volunteers.