Despite Mother Nature’s threatening attempts to bring wild weather into the district on Monday, Cheryl and Liane Matus were all smiles as they met professional angler Jeff Gustafson at the river dock to go fishing.
The pair had purchased the trip during the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship silent auction last month and were eager to get out on the water.
“I was really excited when I found out that I outbid everyone else because I had won a fishing trip once before and took my daughter along. We had so much fun, I really wanted this,” Cheryl Matus said.
Gustafson, who has fished the FFCBC for the past eight years, offered his time and Lund pro boat for the cause after outgoing FFCBC chair, Jim Cumming asked him if he would be interested in taking someone who bought a trip in support of the tournament.
“I was happy to help support the tournament because the Fort tournament is my favourite championship of the season,” Gustafson said. “Plus, fishing with two kind ladies is always a good time.”
Even though the group opted to fish the lower Rainy River because of the high winds out on the lake that day, they managed to bring in a nice haul.
“We had a great time out there. Jeff showed us how to catch bass and how to hold fish,” Cheryl Matus noted.
“We even managed to catch supper,” commented Liane Matus.
“However, we are releasing the bass,” ensured Gustafson.
“The walleyes are going to taste good though when Cheryl fries them up for us,” he laughed.
All in all, the gang managed to catch about 30 fish throughout the day, which they then released.
“It was just fun reeling them in and being out on the water,” commented Cheryl Matus.
Cheryl Matus has volunteered her time at the tournament since the first year it ran back in 1994, and knows first-hand how much the fishermen appreciate the FFCBC.
“I’d hate to see this tournament not happen. It’s great for the town, it’s fun, and the fishermen really do appreciate everything the people of Fort Frances do to make the FFCBC happen,” she remarked.
“The day was great. I’d now consider being a professional fisherman like Jeff,” said Liane. “Jeff makes fishing fun.”
“Well, you know, I just love the thrill catching a big one brings, and seeing people enjoying the sport,” he laughed.
