Keep it going

Right around 100 teams will hit the water tomorrow morning when the 22nd-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship kicks off for another year—which is well up from the 89 that took part last July.
Coupled with the Emo Walleye Classic seeing more teams this year, and the “Castin’ for Cash” event hosted by Lake Despair Lodge once again attracting 60-plus teams earlier this month, it appears district fishing tournaments are on the upswing.
That’s great news for the local economy.
The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship remains our premier community event. Sure, the bass tournament isn’t quite the week-long festival it was during its heyday but the Safeway Pro-Am Kids’ Fishing Tournament once again officially kicked things off on Sunday while Scott Street was closed to traffic for the “Boat Show & Shine” this afternoon, with the annual Teen Dance Party going tonight under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina.
Besides the daily weigh-ins, “Pop Rocks” will hit the stage tomorrow night, followed by the always-popular “Quest for the Best” on Friday night before “Some Sh!tty Cover Band” closes things out Saturday night.
Other events being held in conjunction with the bass tournament include the annual Mini-King and Queen contest tomorrow afternoon, “Jail or Bail” on Saturday, and the “world famous” Kiwanis steak fry later that day (which is open to the public again after being restricted to FFCBC anglers for the past few years).
All in all, plenty of activities to appeal to all ages and interests.
Meanwhile, an added twist to the actual tournament is the inaugural “Canada vs. the U.S.” showdown featuring five teams from each country in which the combined total weights will determine national bragging rights.
It should make for an interesting side contest that’s sure to build even more excitement right up until the final fish is weighed Saturday afternoon.
Good luck to all the anglers competing this year. And hat’s off to all the board of directors and volunteers for their time and efforts to ensure the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship keeps on going here each July.