Local residents have come to recognize the big tent with white and yellow stripes at the Sorting Gap Marina each July as a sure-fire sign that the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is underway.
But while it may look this year to be the same tent as the one that appeared at the first bass tourney here 11 years ago, the Rainy River Future Development Corp. has, in fact, purchased a new one, which will start going up at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 20.
The 2005 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship drew to a close on Sunday with a familiar name on top of the leader board - one that has been there twice before in the 11 year history of the tournament. Although Dave Lindsay has won the big prize before (1995 & 1997) this is the first time he has shared the podium with this father Lee.
“We got taken to school by Rainy Lake today!”
That opinion was shared by more than one angler in the second day of the 11th Annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship. The total number of fish caught was down, but more importantly, the total weight of fish was down by close to 60 pounds.
As a harbinger of good things to come, a Bald Eagle hovered overhead excited anglers early this morning as they awaited the starting gun. And what a great day it turned out to be! Large crowds, great entertainment, fantastic weather and fabulous fishing! The gods were truly smiling down on day one of the 11th Annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Expressing the attitude of many fisherman, Dan Thorstad of Ray, MN said, “We’ve had better days, but at least I‘m not at work!”
Under clear skies and near perfect weather conditions 136 competitors headed out onto Rainy Lake early this morning to start the 11th Annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
More than just a casual day of fishing, the anglers are after a share of $170,000 in prize money. Hailed by many as the number one sport fishing event in Canada, anglers from as far away as California, Texas and British Columbia have gathered to test their skills against the best in North America.
Fort Frances residents do love a parade, and the 11th Annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship Parade of Boats was certainly no exception. A crowd estimated by some at close to 4500 people lined the streets of Fort Frances Tuesday evening to welcome the 136 teams competing in the catch and release fishing tournament. Deafening roars of appreciation greeted the anglers as they arrived at the tournament site, in what was the first official interaction between residents and the competitors.
The local Fort Frances group “Something Else” took the top award at the third annual ‘Battle of the Bands’ at the Canadian Bass Championship on Tuesday night. Winning is not something new for the group of grade nine students. They too walked away with first place in the Teenage Battle of the Bands just two days earlier.
Band members of “Something Else” pictured above (l-r) are: Cody McCool, Dayton Brown, Patrick Bobczynski, Ryan Shortreed and Zack McCool.
The group “Something Else” walked away with first prize in the first Annual Battle of the Teenage Bands at the Canadian Bass Championship Sunday night, but the real winners were those in attendance. “The music was just excellent,” said organizer June Caul. “The kids really loved the music and the crowd participation was also very good.”
Ten year old Jason Goldamer (at right) took first place in the Kid Pro Fishing Tournament on Sunday. Goldamer, who is a grade six student from Robert Moore School in the Fort, teamed up with Pros Gene and Kirk Boyer from Minnesota for a three fish one day catch of 11.44lbs. That total was more than a full pound ahead of the second place team Garnet Paxson and his mentors Keith and Terry Wilson of Fort Frances, while Tanner Bell and Pros Trevor Guderyan and Guntram Keck from Keewaitin took third. Bell landed the largest Bass of the tournament with a 5.19lb catch.
On July 2nd this year the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship lost a friend, a sponsor, a supporter and an angler with the passing of Al Meline at his home in Nestor Falls.
We fondly remember his joy in 1995, the Tournament’s inaugural year, when Al and his partner Jimmy Klick won the big fish prize. His pleasure and excitement was tremendous and indicative of the way in which he approached all aspects of life.
The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will crown a new winning team in 2005.
James Lindner, captain of the 2004 defending team announced earlier this week that his partner and brother Bill Lindner will be unable to participate in this year’s event. Bill and his wife Katherine, are expecting their first child during the week of the Bass Tournament. “He wanted to come, but I didn’t think he’d be able to keep his mind on fishing,” James chuckled. Bill will be replaced by Mike Hehner on the number one team this year.
Can you shoot hoops like, pick the five-hole like Sidney Crosby? Maybe you grind like Tony Hawk, or can fish like...well, like a Bass Championship angler? Then get down to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office on Tuesday, July 12, between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to register for one of the participatory events at this year's Bass Championship Daytimeland!
Before the 11th Canadian Bass Championship even begins, we can tell you that the winners will be the fish!
By Brian Kahler
Each year the Bass Championship draws visitors and competitors from across North America. What better way to keep in touch with the Canadian Bass Championship’s supporters than through the web. Although the address is the same, the content is significantly different.
Who would have thought, during the inaugural Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in 1995, that the event would grow into the largest community event in the Rainy River District, and become one of the premiere fishing tournaments in North America?