Joey Payeur
Greg Gustafson isn’t in the camp of those who see the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship as being in its twilight years.
“I don’t see an expiration date,” declared Gustafson, who is serving as director of angler registrations and director of finance for the 22nd-annual edition of the tournament that begins tomorrow and runs through Saturday.
As of press time, 103 teams were signed up for this year’s tournament–up from 89 last year and the most since 2010 when there were 106.
“A lot of people are happy with a few of the changes we have made over the past half-dozen years,” Gustafson said as to why the FFCBC remains a going concern locally.
“We’ve made several small changes to the prize structure over recent years and how the teams launch, with them going one after the other now instead of on a time schedule.”
The FFCBC is tailored to anglers of all ages–from 78-year-olds Ray Watson of Fort Frances and Phil Bangert of Camdenton, Mo. to teens like Connor Carlson of here, whom Gustafson said are the lifeblood of the tournament’s future.
“We’re getting an uptick in the younger generation,” he noted.
“That’s what we need to keep the tournament strong.”
Gustafson was adamant the FFCBC’s well-being is tied directly to the efforts being put in by the board of directors and the volunteers, especially Jim Cuthbertson and Wayne Allan, who have co-chaired it for the past six years.
“I can’t say enough about the time and the work Jim and ‘Muff’ [Allan] have put in,” he lauded.
“People don’t realize how much time and work goes in to putting this tournament together.”
Gustafson added all the organizing committee’s ducks appear to be in a row.
“We’re on schedule although there’s still lots of things to put together,” he admitted.
“We want to make sure we’re all on the same page,” said Gustafson, jokingly adding, “We almost know what we are doing.
“There have bee no surprises,” he stressed.
“We have a fantastic rapport with the Town of Fort Frances and thank them for helping us out.”
Gustafson also expected the teams to bring in some good hauls throughout the tournament.
“There’s a lot of repeat teams but a lot of newer teams, as well,” he noted.
“It’s anybody’s game . . . you always get that surprise on Day 3,” said Gustafson.
“You can’t count anybody out.”
