Anyone itching for angling action can look forward to the seventh-annual “Castin’ for Cash” tournament on Lake Despair on July 6-7.
Sixty teams will take to the water on Friday—looking to land enough bass to claim the $5,000 first prize.
In all, more than $16,000 in prizes will be handed out.
“I just looked at the long-range forecast and it’s going to be pretty nice,” said organizer Bill Godin. “Teams are starting to pre-fish.
“They’re catching some bass—pretty good bass,” he added.
While the fishing will be the same as ever, this year is one of change for the tournament—the most noticeable being new emcee Mark (“Veg”) Allen taking up the reins from the late Lionel Robert.
Robert, who had been with “Castin’ for Cash” since its inception, passed away suddenly late last year.
“We’re going to miss him, that’s for sure,” said Godin, who added Robert’s daughter, Lynn, has stayed on as one of the volunteers at the event.
Last year’s champs, Terry McClymont and Jaret Horbaiuk, will not be back to defend their title—leaving Godin to name Ralph Galusha and Pat Steele, who finished second in 2006, as the favourites to take top spot.
“They’re usually up there pretty close . . . I’ll put my money on them this year. I’m givin’ ’em one more chance,” he laughed.
Also added to the festivities this year is a paddle boat tournament for children on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Weigh-ins will begin at 4 p.m. both days.
A fish fry is slated for Friday night, with admission being $12 per person (the participating anglers eat for free).
Concession booths, each serving a variety of foods, will be set up on Saturday night, followed by live music featuring the band “Crisis.”
Age of majority is required to attend.
Nellie Godin, Bill’s wife and co-organizer of the tournament, said “things are shaping up really well” in terms of concessions and events.
“The biggest thing on Saturday will be getting everything ready so we can eat on time,” she remarked.
Plenty of camp sites are still available at Lake Despair Lodge for anyone interested in spending the night or the weekend by the lake.
For further details about the tournament or accommodations, call the lodge at 486-0532.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
