By Duane Hicks, Fort Frances Times Ltd.
Bass boats are some of the biggest, baddest boats around—and fishing fans will get a chance to see them up close next Wednesday (July 22) on Scott Street.
The first-ever “Bass Boat Show & Shine,” sponsored by “Shops on Scott” and the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, will run from noon-4 p.m.
“Shops on Scott” spokesman Richard Boileau said the boat parade that once kicked off the FFCBC was a very popular event—drawing thousands of spectators to the streets to see the bass boats, cheer on the teams of anglers, and get candy and other giveaways.
When the parades stopped, a lot of people missed it, he added.
Now “Shops of Scott” and the FFCBC are aiming to bring back that same excitement.
“‘Shops on Scott’ thought, ‘What better way to get the bass fishermen more connected with the people of Fort Frances and the area than to let them actually talk to them?’” said Boileau.
“I think that may have been the one component missing from the parade—the people didn’t get to interact with the fishermen,” he noted.
“The kids loved [the candy] but maybe the adults wanted to talk to the guys and say, ‘I want to get into bass fishing but I don’t know how to tie a knot or I don’t know what I should use?’”
What’s more, Boileau said many FFCBC anglers are pros with corporate sponsors—and their sponsors may like them to get out and promote their products, such as tackle.
“It will give them a venue to show off what they’re using,” Boileau reasoned, adding he also knows most anglers love to give advice and talk about their experiences fishing on Rainy Lake.
Boileau said quite a few boats have confirmed already—and is anticipating more last-minute entries as next Wednesday approaches.
The 200 block of Scott Street will be closed to parking starting at 9 a.m. but will be open to through-traffic until noon, when the street will be blocked off completely.
There will be some team-sponsored giveaways, as well as draws to win prizes, including the latest snowmobile helmets from FXR, Boileau confirmed.
Participating anglers also will be eligible for three $500 cash prizes, including one for the team with the “dream boat” that represents the “ultimate fishing package,” he said.
The second is for the friendliest, most informative team of anglers while the third is a People’s Choice award (voted on by the public).
“Five hundred dollars buys a lot of gas,” said Boileau.
He invited everyone to come on down to Scott Street next Wednesday.
“It’s a great chance for the public to interact with the fishermen,” Boileau said. “It should be a lot of fun.
“We are hoping it’s going to be as big as the parade used to be.”
Bass boats are some of the biggest, baddest boats around—and fishing fans will get a chance to see them up close next Wednesday (July 22) on Scott Street.
The first-ever “Bass Boat Show & Shine,” sponsored by “Shops on Scott” and the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, will run from noon-4 p.m.
“Shops on Scott” spokesman Richard Boileau said the boat parade that once kicked off the FFCBC was a very popular event—drawing thousands of spectators to the streets to see the bass boats, cheer on the teams of anglers, and get candy and other giveaways.
When the parades stopped, a lot of people missed it, he added.
Now “Shops of Scott” and the FFCBC are aiming to bring back that same excitement.
“‘Shops on Scott’ thought, ‘What better way to get the bass fishermen more connected with the people of Fort Frances and the area than to let them actually talk to them?’” said Boileau.
“I think that may have been the one component missing from the parade—the people didn’t get to interact with the fishermen,” he noted.
“The kids loved [the candy] but maybe the adults wanted to talk to the guys and say, ‘I want to get into bass fishing but I don’t know how to tie a knot or I don’t know what I should use?’”
What’s more, Boileau said many FFCBC anglers are pros with corporate sponsors—and their sponsors may like them to get out and promote their products, such as tackle.
“It will give them a venue to show off what they’re using,” Boileau reasoned, adding he also knows most anglers love to give advice and talk about their experiences fishing on Rainy Lake.
Boileau said quite a few boats have confirmed already—and is anticipating more last-minute entries as next Wednesday approaches.
The 200 block of Scott Street will be closed to parking starting at 9 a.m. but will be open to through-traffic until noon, when the street will be blocked off completely.
There will be some team-sponsored giveaways, as well as draws to win prizes, including the latest snowmobile helmets from FXR, Boileau confirmed.
Participating anglers also will be eligible for three $500 cash prizes, including one for the team with the “dream boat” that represents the “ultimate fishing package,” he said.
The second is for the friendliest, most informative team of anglers while the third is a People’s Choice award (voted on by the public).
“Five hundred dollars buys a lot of gas,” said Boileau.
He invited everyone to come on down to Scott Street next Wednesday.
“It’s a great chance for the public to interact with the fishermen,” Boileau said. “It should be a lot of fun.
“We are hoping it’s going to be as big as the parade used to be.”