Anglers hit the water as FFCBC starts

By Lucas Punkari
Fort Frances Times Ltd.

A total of 95 boats launched from the government dock at Pither’s Point this morning to begin their quest for the 17th-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship crown.
As the anglers waited to go on the water at the Sorting Gap Marina, both newcomers and seasoned FFCBC competitors alike were feeling exactly the same.

FFCBC chair stressing back-to-basics approach

February 9, 2011.
By Lucas Punkari, Staff writer - Fort Frances Times

With the 2011 edition of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship edging ever closer, new chairman Gord Watson is looking to return the event to its roots.
Watson, who took over the reins from Tom Fry back in October, has been working hard with the rest of the committee over the last few months to set up this year’s event, which will run July 17-23.

Open House Set for this Thursday

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will be hosting an Open House Thursday February 3 at La Place Rendezvous.  The Tournament now has over 65 teams registered for the 2011 Tournament Days.

The new directors and team of this year’s tournament look forward to meeting and discussing the many changes that are being introduced in this year’s format.

Tournament Format and Payout Tweaked

November 11, 2010.
In response to suggestions from previous competitors changes have been made to the 2011 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship (FFCBC) format and prize board.

The field is capped at 120 teams. The entry fee remains $1,000.00 per team and the prize board pays out 85% of the total entries. That means that at a full field of 120 teams the total cash payout will be $102,000.00.

Day One and Day Two will payout for Big Fish and top three catches. Day One and Day Two will each pay out $4,500.00.

Anglers Get Seat on board

November 9, 2010.
Gord Watson, chairman of Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship (FFCBC), announced the appointment of Paul Jewiss as Anglers’ Representative on the FFCBC Board of Directors. The newly created position brings a formal angler voice to the board table with full voting rights. Jewiss will establish an Angler Advisory Committee that will encompass a cross-section of tournament competitors. Jewiss will be fishing in his 11th FFCBC in 2011 and competes in other regional tournaments.

Tournament Rewards Early Entrants

November 4, 2010.
Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship (FFCBC) will offer an early bird prize to teams that enter the 2011 tournament by December 20, 2010.

Every team that enters by the deadline will be entered in a draw for a free entry to the 2012 event.

The draw will take place on December 24, 2010.

Anglers can find an entry form on line at canadianbass.com. Anglers have option of printing off an  entry form and mailing it in, faxing it in or dropping it off at The Great Bear and at the Fort Frances Times office.

Tournament to adopt new format

November 2, 2010.
The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship (FFCBC) will adopt a new format for 2011. Gord Watson, the incoming chairman, recognized that some changes had to be made when he assumed the chair. He knew that he had to start by increasing angler participation. Last year, in 2010, 106 teams participated. That was a 13-year low in the sixteen year history of the tournament. He picked up the phone and started talking with anglers. He also closely examined a feedback and suggestion survey of about 30 anglers that was conducted after the 2010 tournament.

Future of Tournament in Jeopardy

October 13, 2010.  The future of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, the most recognizable community festival in the district, depends on securing a new chairperson for the event. Tom Fry, who has served a chairman for the past three years, is retiring. Fry has been an active volunteer and part of the tournament since its beginnings in 1995.

At this point, despite approaching many individuals, advertising on radio and in the paper, no replacement has come forward.