The Pan-Am Black Bass Champions puts Nackawic on the world map of great fishing destinations
Nackawic’s Big Axe proved an effective lure for the world’s best anglers. Once the iconic community symbol and its namesake marina drew them in, they were hooked.
Top anglers from seven nations and two First Nations launched their boats from Nackawic’s Big Axe Marina. They cast their lines into the St. John River on Sept. 27 and 28 as Nackawic-Millville and Fredericton hosted the prestigious Pan-Am Black Bass Championships.
Canadian International Sportfishing Association (CISA) President Brent Valere, who discovered Nackawic’s fishing charms after competing in the Destination Nackawic Bass Tournament in 2023 and 2024, said the community proved an impressive host for one of sportfishing’s most prestigious events.
“This is the biggest Pan Am ever.” he said. “This has set the bar.”
Valere explained the annual Pan Am tournament returns to Canada every five years, but this marked its first time in the Maritimes.
He explained that he identified Nackawic and Fredericton as potential hosts for the tournament after participating in the 2023 Destination Nackawic event. He recalled talking with Mike Holland, New Brunswick’s natural resources minister at the time, about the province’s potential to host the event.
The dream quickly became a reality with solid support from the provincial and federal governments, Nackawic-Millville, Fredericton, CISA, other sportfishing groups, the business community, service organizations and volunteers.
Even Mother Nature cooperated, delivering ideal weather for Thursday’s practice and Friday and Saturday’s tournament days.
The tournament attracted champion anglers from Canada, the U.S., China, Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. It also had two First Nations teams from Turtle Island in Ontario and Wolastoq in New Brunswick.
Teams from South Africa and Costa Rica ran into last-minute visa issues and couldn’t attend.
The USA won the gold medal, while Canada captured silver and China bronze.
Large crowds gathered under the big tent on the Nackawic waterfront on Saturday afternoon during the final weigh-in. It also allowed fishing fans to meet and get autographs from their favourite anglers, including Canadian fishing icon Bob Izumi.
The professional angler’s popular television program, Bob Izumi’s Real Fishing Show, ran from 1983 until 2022, making him one of the most familiar faces in sport fishing.
While acknowledging a less-than-stellar tournament on the river, the gregarious angler happily met with fans and autographed dozens of shirts.
Izumi was impressed by the Big Axe Marina, the St. John River (Wolastoq), and the people of Nackawic-Millville and Fredericton.
“Pretty cool place for a tournament, great people, wonderful scenery,” he said.
Izumi last fished in New Brunswick in the 1990s, adding that most of his previous visits involved casting lines on some of the province’s many lakes. He had little experience on the river.
“This is a great place for a tournament because it’s got a lot of fish,” he said.
The expert angler said the St. John River bass, while smaller on average than those in the Great Lakes, are more muscular from swimming against the river’s current. He said they put up as much fight or more than their Ontario cousins.
Izumi praised the tournament, the locations and the people involved.
“This Big Axe Marina is a great place for a tournament and, of course, we’re at the Delta in Fredericton so we get the fancy hotel.”
The Delta hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.
Valere offered similar praise to the local organizers, volunteers and spectators.
When asked about his favourite part of the tournament, Valere motioned to the crowd watching the action: ” The people,” he said.
Nackawi-Millville Mayor Tim Fox smiled widely as he walked along the Nackawic waterfront on Saturday.
“My face hurts and my feet hurt, because I’ve walked around for three days smiling,” he said.
Fox said the Nackawic-Millville communities pulled together with thousands of volunteer hours to make the event a success, noting the Nackawic Curling Club made 185 lunches per day. He said the Nackawic Lions Club on the waterfront fed everyone on both tournament nights.
“It’s a big, massive community effort,” Fox said.
He said local businesses reported a significant increase in business during the tournament events, adding the scope of the event helped put Nackawic-Millville on the map.
Fox said people worldwide could watch several hours of live broadcasts over the internet, which would provide advertising that a rural community like Nackawic-Millville could not otherwise afford.
“For us this is fun,” he said, “but for economic development and the community it’s tremendous.”
Fox said the area and facilities impressed the visitors, noting the American anglers told him this was the best tournament they had attended.
He added that everyone praised the Big Axe Marina.
“I think it’s the best investment we ever made in this community,” Fox said.
Andrew and Matt Campbell of the Turtle Island First Nation team said this tournament was their first in the Maritimes, and they’ll be leaving with positive memories, even if their weekend catches didn’t match their pre-tournament efforts.
Valere said his next international fishing stop will be Italy for the world championships. He said bass fishing is huge worldwide.
He said the goal is to add bass fishing to the Olympics, and he believes they are getting close.
“It’s getting hard to say no,” Valere said.
He also said he plans to return to Big Axe Marina next summer for the annual Destination Nackawic tournament.
