Bassin’ For Bucks coming

Bassin’ For Bucks will take place this coming weekend in Sioux Narrows. I had forgotten about the tournament until I was remined in a blog by Bryan Gustafson who was presenting several ideas on lures on his Facebook page. It is one of the few tournaments that will have run this year. The majority across the Rainy River and Kenora Districts have been cancelled. This tournament is much different than other fishing competitions in the region in that it focusses on family and fun.
I have never fished this tournament but did spend several days prior to the first several events fishing the waters of Lake of the Woods with Mike Baranowski, a long-time guide on the lake. I fished two days with Phil Bangert from Lake of the Ozarks as he prepared for the tournament fishing. The two gentlemen fished the waters differently.
One of the items missing from this year’s tournament is that no spectators will be allowed for the weigh-ins. Gone will be the applause and cheers as fish are brought across the stage. Anglers will be expected to wear masks and practice social distancing. Prizes will be awarded to the team with the best weight having an angler younger than 16. Another prize will be offered to the team having a combined age greater than 100. There is interest for everyone.
One of the great enjoyments of fishing with people like Mike Baranowski and Phil Bangert is that they are very much social people, outgoing and full of stories about their fishing experiences. Full of stories, one passes the days on the water enjoying the scenery and the companionship in the boat. The days are on long and can be extremely tiring when faced with strong winds or cold rain. Every cast presented by a fisher is full of hope. Fishing for the tournament is much like the year 2020. Isolated, often fishing separate from their partners, the fishermen are often on the water from sunup to sundown getting ready for the three days of competitive fishing. Fishing can also be humbling, catching lots of fish one day and hardly finding a fish the next.
But when the weigh in is finished, and the weights all calculated, the evening in Sioux Narrows is often spent around a campfire, exchanging tales of the day… the big fish that broke off at the boat, the Muskie that snapped the fifth bass before it was landed, the lure or technique that made the difference on that day of the tournament. Each year is different, but the camaraderie shared by the fishermen and residents of Sioux Narrows lasts well beyond the next tournament.
Bass’n For Bucks is a great tournament.