Making TV in Sunset Country

Other than a three-month stint working for a contractor friend of mine just out of university, and a couple of years on the supply teacher list in Kenora, the only jobs I’ve ever had have been related to the fishing and outdoor industry in some manner.
My first guide trip was at age 15 when I was working weekends at Ash Rapids Lodge on Lake of the Woods. And since then, I’ve kept the cash flow going by guiding anglers and hunters, my outdoors writing and photography, tournament fishing, and by working on promotional activities with all of the my fishing sponsors.
All of this has allowed me to cross paths with many people along the way and form some great relationships with folks from all over North America.
This past weekend, I hosted my friend, Keith Beasley, from the Canadian hunting TV show, “Canada in the Rough,” to do some deer hunting in the Kenora area.
While our deer numbers, especially those larger bucks most hunters visit our area for a chance at, are down, there still are plenty of deer in the woods to have some fun. Keith was successful in tagging a nice buck after a few days of sitting in a ground blind and we had a great time hanging out for a few days.
Getting the opportunity to host these TV programs in our area always is fun for me because I’m proud of where we live and all of the great fishing and hunting opportunities that exist here.
As far as I’m concerned, nowhere else in North America can compare with all of the options we have for fishing and all-season outdoor activities in general. Anytime I can assist in the production of these TV programs that will promote Sunset Country and Northwestern Ontario, I jump at the chance.
During the past 10 years, nearly every popular TV fishing show from Canada and the U.S. has visited Northwestern Ontario at least once, and many of them several times.
Bob Izumi, Canada’s most famous fishing personality, visits our area at least a couple of times per year. As do the Lindner clan from Minnesota, shooting for their program, “Lindner’s Angling Edge.”
The benefit we get from promoting our area is huge when you consider the economic impact that visiting guests bring to our area because, for the most part, it is all new money that did not exist here prior to their arrival.
Sure, there are more folks using our lakes and woods, but we are fortunate to have a massive amount of water and land for these activities. As long as people are not abusing the resources, I’m all for their use.
Not only do the tourist operators who host our visitors benefit but many others do, as well. Hotels are filled as tourists pass through the area. Gas stations and grocery stores benefit from all of the visitors, and many fishing and hunting licenses are sold.
Retail stores across the region, meanwhile, sell souvenir items or products that folks many need or want. And these are just the obvious benefits.
While tourism in our region remains strong, resort owners and outfitters continue to battle exchange rates on money, border regulations, and changes to fishing and hunting regulations in Ontario, among many other things.
If you catch any of these TV programs showcasing the fishing and hunting in our region, be sure to share them with your friends, especially if they are not from this area, and invite them to come and sample the fun for themselves.
We all benefit from it!