P.E.I. recreational fishing season starts with new memorial breakfast

Wednesday was the start of recreational fishing season on Prince Edward Island, usually a big day for Matthew Murphy who went with his family on opening day every year after fueling up at the annual Bonshaw Fishermen's Breakfast.

But last fall, the avid fisherman took his own life at the age of 19 and this year the breakfast was renamed in his honour.

The Fishermen's Breakfast has been held for more than 20 years.

It's always been held at Bonshaw Community Center on opening day of the angling season with proceeds going to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

This year, some of Murphy's friends and family decided to host and called it the first annual Matthew Murphy Memorial Fishermen's Breakfast.

The aim is to raise money for a scholarship in Murphy's name, awarded to a student at Bluefield High School who works to combat bullying in the community and is also interested in studying the trades or going into an apprentice program.

Matthew Murphy's brother, Devon Murphy, was one of the organizers and says Matthew had a talent for welding.

"Our idea of the scholarship is to go to a student who is trades oriented, because Matthew was into welding and wanted to open his own welding shop," Murphy said. "So we'd look at somebody's who's going into carpentry or plumbing or welding or something like that."

He also said his brother endured a lot of bullying in high school and wanted the scholarship to reflect that.

"It will also go to someone who shows how they stand up against bullying and they participate within the school," Murphy said.

The breakfast was an all night event, starting 11 p.m. April 14 and ending at 11 a.m. April 15.