Michael J. Baranowski
Dear editor:
I wrote an article in the Fort Frances Times 15 years ago on the inauguration of a site for a bass tournament in Sioux Narrows, with its motto, “Bassin’ For Bucks,” planned and staged by organizers Mel Giesbrecht, Chris Bell, Lindsay Bowman, and the rest of the highly-proficient volunteers.
Like no other tournament, this one has two different versions. One was running three one-day tournaments in succession, with a grand aggregate for the overall winners, while the second was in the order of flights leaving from the starting point.
In other tournaments, the flights after the first day are determined by the best catch, followed by the rest of the field in that order.
But the “Bassin’ For Bucks” format consisted of dividing the field into three groups. The flights on the first day were based on the order of registration. The flights then rotated over the next two days so that each group had the same advantage, as well as a better chance of winning a prize of some sort.
At first, I was not impressed by this format but changed my mind when we came in third on the first day, which gave us $700, but then had motor trouble on the last two days that put us out of contention.
But we made enough to pay our entry fee, plus other expenses, which we would not have gotten at other tournaments.
Since organizers Mel Giesbrecht, Chris Bell, and Lindsay Bowman retired, Barbara Salvador and Debbie Ducharme took over the reins and, with great volunteers, has made “Bassin’ For Bucks” the ultimate success that it is.
The first year started with 38 teams. Now the cut-off is at 120 teams, with others on the spare list.
You can say that “Bassin’ For Bucks” is, indeed, still going strong.
Signed,
Michael J. Baranowski
Nestor Falls, Ont.
