It’s been raining for three days and all the Rainy River tributaries are swollen with runoff. The river is the colour of used motor oil and you want to go fishing.
What do you do? What patterns do you use to fool old Marble Eyes?
If you come to the Walleye Wisdom Fishing Forum at the Emo Inn on May 15, these and other questions will be answered for you by a blue-chip panel of experts who have forgotten more about walleye fishing than most of us will learn in a lifetime.
Mark Martin, Mike Gofron, Mark Brumbaugh and the Fort Frances Times’ own columnist Gord “Doc” Pyzer will be at the Back Alley Bar to teach you some of the tricks that have made these men the pros they are.
Martin, Gofron and Brumbaugh have collectively won nearly a quarter of a million dollars on the pro walleye circuit, so their credentials are beyond dispute.
The forum was arranged by local guide and winner of last year’s Emo Walleye Classic, Harvey Cochrane.
Cochrane and his partner, Oliver Gibbons, outfished all contenders with a combined two-day haul of 15 pounds even. The win was worth over $10,000 and amounted to his first major victory.
“I’ve fished a few bass tournaments before, but this was my first walleye one. I’ll be back again,” he vowed.
No slouch himself, Cochrane has guided anglers throughout three provinces and the North West Territories for the last 13 years. He numbers among his clients such celebrities as President George Bush Sr., Premier Mike Harris, Edmonton Oiler legends Glen Sather and Grant Fuhr as well as heartthrob Jane Seymour. For this forum, however, he wanted the first team.
“These are three of the top professional anglers in North America,” said Cochrane.
The panel, said Cochrane, will share their secrets in an informal question-and-answer format. There is no fixed agenda.
“If there is something you’re dying to know, this is your chance to find it,” he promised.
Coming as it does just before the Emo Walleye Classic and Rainy River Walleye Tournament, the fishing forum offers both insight and prizes for those who book early. Cochrane said there are only 100 seats available and tickets are $10.
Included with the ticket is a shot at numerous door prizes ranging from quality rod-and-reel combinations to hats, trolling motors and coolers.
One keen angler who has promised to be there is John Butts of Dryden. Butts is the top Canadian on the Professional Walleye Tour and he says he’s looking forward to it.
“Do not miss this opportunity to ask questions directly of North America’s top walleye pros,” declared Butts. “I know I won’t.”
The Walleye Wisdom Fishing Forum is sponsored by the Fort Frances Times, Nestor Falls Marine, Tompkins Hardware, Badiuk Equipment, B-93 FM and Pinewood Sport and Marine Ltd.
For tickets and more information, call (807) 274-4934.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
