New Brunswickers take top prize
The wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of over 200 fishing enthusiasts participating in Atlantic Canada’s largest smallmouth bass tournament from May 16 to 18.
With a $15,000 top prize on the line ($50,000 in total prizes), teams from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Maine competed in the third annual Destination Nackawic Bass Open.
Nackawic-Millville Mayor Tim Fox said this year’s numbers were slightly down compared to last year due to some teams participating in the Pan-Am Tournament in Mexico the following weekend.
The event kicked off on Friday evening with an opening reception at the Big Axe Brewery, a welcome, a review of the rules, and a drawing for starting positions. There were early starts on Saturday and Sunday, with boat inspections and launches at 5 a.m. Check-ins and weigh-ins began at 4 p.m. each day.
Mayor Fox said the participants were challenged quite a bit by the sudden drop in water levels, with the Mactaquac Dam releasing a significant amount of water on Saturday.
“Water levels dropped close to three feet during the day,” said Fox.
There were also other challenges.
“On Saturday, takeoff included a field of 72 boats, but during the day, we had a few boats that experienced some mechanical issues that caused them to withdraw early. We also had a few whose weights were not ideal on day one, and they chose not to return for day two takeoffs. On day two, we had 67 boats for takeoffs,” said Fox.
This was the second year a youth fishing derby was held as part of the bass open. The popular event has grown from 40 participants last year to 100 registered this year. Less-than-ideal weather conditions didn’t dampen the fun.
“Despite the rainy weather, we still had 78 kids between the ages of two and 15 participate in the derby,” said Fox.
Doiron Outfitters, Minnow Tackle Shop, Subway, Old Dutch, Yeti, Bass Pro Shops, Lucky Strike Bait Works, Design Art Studios and Destination Nackawic sponsored the derby.
A Hartland-based company, Watershed Fishing Apparel, helped sponsor the event and even brought a team of volunteers to help measure fish and run the derby.
Thanks to these sponsors, every participant went home with something, and Doiron Outfitters provided a new rod and reel for every youth who participated.
Mayor Fox said it was lots of fun for everyone involved. Craig Young, owner of Watershed Fishing Apparel, agreed.
“Fishing is a lifelong passion, so if we can get them to do it when they are young, they are in it for life,” said Young.
Mayor Fox thanked Young and his team for partnering with them for the past two years.
Donald Paterson, Tournament Director with the NB Bass Tour, said their tent was packed with young people, and they didn’t care how much water was running down their backs.
When announcing winners, Paterson told participants that New Brunswick history was being made that day.
“This is the first year weighing largemouth bass at NB tournaments now,” said Paterson.
The New Brunswick Bass Tour (NBBT) and Destination Nackawic have announced this change, which allows tournament organizers to include largemouth bass weigh-ins for the first time.
Mayor Fox said the fishing tournament brings a lot to the region.
“This event has a huge, positive economic impact on our community,” said Fox. “Most of the team event participants spend days in advance of the event doing some pre-fishing where they fill many of our local accommodations, and restaurants, and buy from our local businesses.”
In the end, a New Brunswick team finished at the top. The team of Henry Arseneault, who is from Saint John, and Jeff Shaw, from Fredericton, won the top prize on Sunday with a total weight of 30.99 lb. after placing second at the weigh-in on Saturday. The second prize went to Ian Ross from Barrington Passage, N.S., and Rod Goodwin, from Shag Harbour, N.S. Third-place honours went to Jeff Gilby and Jeremy MacDonald, both from Lower Sackville, N.S.
