WESTPORT -- After several incidents near this town northeast of Kingston, local fisherman here hinted yesterday more "Asian fishermen" will be thrown into the lake if they don't stop fishing in the community's famous fish sanctuary.

But Asian-Canadian officials have fought back -- casting out an open forum urging better understanding and offering a $1,000 reward for information about a Sept. 14 attack.

Not to be over dramatic, but it has the feel of a mini-race and fish war going on in one of the country's most beautiful locations.

It's all so surreal. And particularly mind boggling in Westport -- one of Ontario's picturesque gems -- where you think the biggest controversy would be whether you want large or medium fries at Scotty's famous chip stand while staring at the awesome Big Rideau Lake, 70 km northeast of Kingston.

But there is something fishy going on down here and authorities might want to get their heads out of the marsh before someone gets killed.

Racial intolerance or blatant fish poaching? Whatever side of the fence you come down on, one thing for sure is there is a kettle of fish brewing down here which looks like it has potential to boil over. "If you want some entertainment come down here this weekend," said one local resident. "I wouldn't be surprised if someone got hurt. It's just a matter of time before someone is stabbed or shot."

That's what he said. More than just him, too. Many people were talking openly like that. "People are fed up," said another man. "We are not allowed to fish in these fish sanctuaries. So, why are they?"

Local fishermen are fit to be tied over some "Asian fishermen" frequenting the area under the cover of darkness and, they claim, violating provincial laws in the process. "You pick any night and you will find these people out there in the areas that are well marked," said one man. "They claim they can't read English but they should be able to understand a fish with a line through it means you can't fish there."

Others claim they have spotted a 5-tonne truck with live wells in it -- and a full tank of gas to get it on its way to Toronto and the marketplace. "It is a business," no question. "And they are cleaning out the fish sanctuary to fuel it."

Now, there is nothing more gutless and despicable than poaching fish like this. Fish sanctuary species like bass, pickerel or even perch or crappies have no chance against a poacher.

But there is also something equally as deplorable about taking the law into your own hands. A group calling itself Bettercanada2007 is claiming that is happening here.

"On the night of Sept. 14th 2007, three Scarborough residents, 73-year old fishing enthusiast Mr. Cheng, his son-in-law and another friend drove to Big Rideau Lake to enjoy their night fishing.

"Around midnight, a light-coloured old mini van occupied by seven people pulled over near the spot where Mr. Cheng and his friends were fishing. Five big and strong young men rushed out of the vehicle, approached Mr. Cheng and threw their fishing equipment into the lake. A struggle occurred during which three of the young men grabbed Mr. Cheng's son-in-law and then threw him from the 10-foot-high bridge into the water."

It also claimed they were "beaten up heavily."

If this is true, this is brutal.

"I have no doubt that it is true," said local businessman and conservationist Charlie Jones, who does not condone it. "And I have no doubt in my mind there will be more violence."

To try to stop it he and others, with the blessing of the ministry of natural resources, has posted no fishing signs everywhere they can think of. "But people seem to take them down," he said. "And these fish sanctuaries are being cleaned out."

Steve Aubry, the boss at the Kemptville MNR office, said his 12 officers will enforce the law whenever they see someone violating it. He says that there is no limit for sunfish and rock bass and sometimes people mistake a cooler full of those as a poaching when it is in fact perfectly legal.

As for the accusations that there is an Asian commercial fishery going on, they are allegations and so far unfounded.

And yet most people on the street talk of a lot of missing bass in those waters and a white truck that meets up with fishermen in the early hours of every night and then heads to Toronto.

Something does smell like rotten fish down here but the solution is simple. First is for the local fisherman: Let the police and the MNR handle this.

But the message to the OPP and MNR is for you to make sure they deal with complaints and not turn a blind eye.

And last to the Asian fishermen: Ensure you don't fish anywhere near the areas that are clearly off limits to fishing and you won't have any problem.

If none of the above listen to me on this, you may just hear of someone being badly hurt or killed over some fish. <!-- Next and Previous stories -->