Jamie Mountain, Fort Frances Times Ltd.
jmountain@fortfrances.com
It had been seven years since they hoisted the trophy, so no doubt they were elated.
Mark Raveling of Longville, Mn. and Mike Luhman of Deer Park, Wis. are back in the spotlight after their three-day haul of 53.6 pounds was good enough to give them the title at the 25th-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
By Jamie Mountain
Staff writer, Fort Frances Times Ltd.
jmountain@fortfrances.com
By Jamie Mountain
Staff writer, Fort Frances Times Ltd.
jmountain@fortfrances.com
You would think that after a quarter of a century of fishing the same tournament each year, it would get old.
But that’s not the case for Devlin’s Bill Godin who will once again be teaming up with Dave Lindsay as they try to conquer the waters of Rainy Lake and claim the title at the 25th-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
courtesy Fort Frances Times
A pair of faces were all smiles Saturday afternoon at the 24th-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Bryan Gustafson and Brian McNanney produced a three-day haul of 51.57 pounds to claim their first-ever FFCBC title in front of a joyous crowd under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina.
Gustafson, a former local resident who now lives in Kenora, and McNanney of Sioux Narrows jumped from seventh place on Day 2 to first with an 18.5-pound bag on the final day to dethrone back-to-back defending champs Troy Norman and Jay Samsal.
There was a pivotal moment in their attempted title defence that changed everything for Troy Norman and Jay Samsal.
“The biggest challenge we had came [Friday] at 10 a.m.,” recounted Norman, who lives in Fort Frances.
“We had some poor misfortune not landing fish and lost three kings that five years ago [would] have ruined our day,” he noted.
“But we stayed focused and kept our nose to the grindstone, and carried on.”
Congratulations to the defending champs Troy Norman and Jay Samsal with their three day total weight of 55.23lbs!
By Joey Payeur, Fort Frances Times Ltd.
The change of the calendar will bring a slight change to the scheduling of next year’s Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
The 23rd edition of the annual angler extravaganza will be held from July 20-22, 2017.
While that differs by just one day from this year’s event, the switch is in regards to the tournament traditionally being held one week before the long weekend that usually kicks off August.
By Joey Payeur, Fort Frances Times Ltd.
Troy Norman and Jay Samsal came across the biggest threats to their lead, did a 180-degree turn, and pointed their bow elsewhere.
It wasn’t a sign of fear but respect. And by the end of the day Saturday, their integrity—along with fantastic fishing skills—were rewarded handsomely.
Courtesy Fort Frances Times
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em—even if it’s 11 years after the fact.
Devlin’s Bill Godin and Dave Lindsay of Kenora are the team to catch after Day 1 of the 2016 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship after hauling in 17.36 pounds.
It was the lowest Day 1 leading total at the FFCBC since Lindsay and his brother, Norm, brought in 14.62 pounds during the tourney’s inaugural year in 1995.
Lindsay, who won the tournament twice with his sibling in 1995 and 1997, also paired up with his father, Lee, for his most recent title in 2005.
WANTED: Pro Anglers for the ProAm Tournament on 17 July, 2016 We are looking for boats that would be willing and able to take an amateur fishing for our morning tournament. It is a one fish tournament with the largest bass winning. It runs from 8 am to 1 pm. on Sunday 17 July 2016. A bag breakfast will be provided as well as hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. If you can join us, please email Shelley at swepruk@gmail.com
UNNOFICIAL Day 1 Results | |||||
| Position | Team # | Day 1 Weight | Total Weight | Captain | Partner |
| 1 | 95 | 18.79 | 18.79 | Luc Levesque | Brale Levesque |
| 2 | 92 | 18.43 | 18.43 | Caleb Colwell | Tim Klug |
John Peterson of Bemdiji, left, and Jeff Gustafson of Kenora proved too tough to beat once again as they successfully defended their title at the 20th-annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship on Saturday with a winning total of 57.18 pounds.
—Joey Payeur photo
From the Livewell
Jeff Gustafson
After five straight years of finishing in the top 10, which included a trifecta of third place finishes, Kenora’s Jeff Gustafson and Bemidji’s John Peterson were finally able to nab the top spot on the podium at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
Fort Frances native Troy Norman celebrated his birthday in style on Friday, as he and his partner Jay Samsal of Kenora moved up into the top of the standings following two days of angling in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
On a day when anglers had to deal with every type of summer weather imaginable, the team of Jeff Gustafson and John Peterson was able to handle Rainy Lake the best yesterday.
With a five-fish bag that came in at 19.17 pounds, the duo found themselves in first place after Day 1 of the 2013 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
By Lucas Punkari
Fort Frances Times Ltd.
After an 16-year quest that had seen its share of heartaches over the years, Mark Raveling and Mike Luhman finally have done it.
With a three-day total weight of 55.06 pounds, the three-time runner-ups at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship finally were able to hoist the trophy late Saturday afternoon at the Ice For Kids Arena after being crowned the 2012 winners.
Perennial threats to win the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, Mark Raveling and Mike Luhman were sitting in an excellent position to finally break through after the first day of action yesterday.