2009
The best is yet to come
From Ken Hamilton ...President Ontario B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
First of all – welcome to the OBFN’s first issue of Time on the Water. This newsletter was created to serve our members and provide them with the latest information about our organization. I’d like to thank our Vice president John Whyte for spending countless hours creating it and making sure it would be ready for distribution in the New Year. Anyway – we hope you enjoy it and support this initiative.
In spite of the gloomy news from financial markets and a lingering uncertainty of times to come, it was a pretty good year for the Ontario B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. The organizations’ coffers, although not bursting at the seams, are in pretty good shape. For the first time since 2003 our accounts are current with the year’s expenditures, so we are not using next year’s proceeds to pay for last year’s events. Most of this was due to the outstanding turnout for the 2008 Hank Gibson Qualifier where a field of 150 OBFN anglers took to the water trying to win a spot on the road to the Bassmasters Classic.
It was also a very good year for sponsor’s revenue as two new Triton boats were auctioned. Being part of the B.A.S.S. Alliance, this is one of many major benefits the OBFN and its members are privy to. Not only did the sale of these boats help the OBFN financially, they offered the two happy new boaters out there excellent value for their money.
For the first time in many years our membership increased and interest for club tournament fishing has momentum once again. A percentage of the increase could be due to the Qualifier being held on Lake Simcoe/Couchiching – the same location where the 2009 Eastern BASS Federation Nation Divisional will be. Those who qualified for Team Ontario here would move on to fish that prestigious event. You can read OBFN’s Media Director (Wil Wegman) article on the 2008 Hank Gibson Qualifier at: fishonlineca.com The 2008 Hank Gibson Qualifier was an overwhelming success and even more details can be read right here at timeonthewater.org/Tean_ON
We had another great year on the Conservation front. Our clubs are each mandated to perform one conservation project annually and there was some great work done by our members. The year started off great in February at the Bassmasters Classic when the York Bassmasters won the National Conservation project of the year Award for their 2007 Bogart Creek Restoration Project. I was so proud to accept the award and the $1,000 check on behalf of the club. With hundreds of Bassmaster clubs across North America, it was truly remarkable to see this great Canadian based club win it all.
Throughout 2008, I was continually surprised at how many people were interested in becoming a member of an organization that clearly demonstrates its commitment to our future anglers and conservation ... let alone tournament fishing. Could there possibly be a better way to learn how to become a better all round bass angler than by joining an OBFN club?
Our Juniors had a great year even with the changes to the qualification process. Jake Sasnowski of Bowmanville who was in the 15 to 18 year old division won the Junior Eastern Divisional Qualifier on Lake Winnipesauke in New Hampshire. From there he went on to the Junior World Championship on Geary County State Lake in Junction City Kansas. Unfortunately the weather was a disaster with 60 mph winds and freezing temperatures. After careful consideration by tournament officials the Juniors who were to fish Milford Lake now had to move over to a smaller 100 acre Geary County Lake. The inhospitable conditions yielded very few fish for all competitors leaving Jake without a bag to weigh in. Despite this minor setback Jake is still an excellent young angler who seems destined to compete for a position on Team Ontario in coming years.
In 2007 Team Ontario advanced to the 2008 Eastern Divisional on Lake Winnipesauke. Here our team had two excellent practice days that left everyone optimistic. Of course on day one of the tournament competing anglers faced a cold front and high winds. If that wasn’t bad enough there was another major tournament Championship competing at the same time. Despite all this members of Team Ontario had a terrific time together. An excellent account of what it’s like to be on the team for the first time was written by Brian Curry in an exclusive article for this newsletter. You can read “A Members Story” by Brian Curry by clicking here .
At the Divisional, Ontario’s anglers definitely noticed the intense fishing pressure of this popular US lake. After three days of varying weather and slim pickings Mike Desforges weighed in a limit each day and rose to the top as our national contender. For a full detailed account of the Eastern Divisional and the Eastern Junior Championship you can read Wil’s article at :fishonlineca.com
Mike Desforges would go on to fish the National BASS Federation Nation Championships in Kansas a couple of months after fishing New Hampshire. In spite of Mike’s incredible efforts, in Kansas he faced what he called the worst fishing conditions he has ever seen and ended up fishless along with more than 70% of the field. You can read more on Mikes quest for a Classic birth on his blog at www.mikedesforges.com . We couldn’t have hoped for a more skilled angler and I’d like to congratulate him on the excellent job he did and representing Canada and the OBFN at this event.
In 2008 we sent four teams to the BASS Club World Championships (BCWC) at Lake Fort Gibson in Oklahoma, the largest contingency of any state. We didn't fare as well as expected but we did get a lesson in reservoir fishing and fluctuating water levels. Unfortunately it was the last BCWC for the foreseeable future as lack of participation ended the program even though sponsorship was secured for the next 3 years. It seems it was difficult to maintain six man teams through the entire qualification process and the economy in the US didn’t help either.
With that lesson in hand it inspired what could become a great new “made at home” club championship, something that was long overdue. The new event titled the Canadian B.A.S.S. Club Championship is in the final stages of planning and will have its inaugural tournament next September. We hope every club will participate and help make this an annual success that everyone looks forward to. You can follow the progress of the event ...full story
In 2009 all Federation Nations eyes will be on Canada as we host the FNC Eastern Divisional Qualifier. A very strong Team Ontario will have home water advantage as seven Federation Nation clubs from south of the border travel to Lake Simcoe/Couchiching for what promises to be one of Canada’s most publicized events in years. With a little luck and grace from Mother Nature we’ll have the opportunity to showcase one of the best bass fisheries in North America and have an excellent chance of taking top team honours. Needless to say we will be looking for volunteers to ensure that all goes well for our U.S. guests. More about the event can be found here at full story.
The Ontario B.A.S.S. Federation Nation would like to thank our many sponsors and volunteers for their incredible contributions and efforts throughout 2008. The year’s success is due to the dedication, support, and confidence you’ve placed in us. As the authority and ambassadors to bass fishing in Canada we look at ourselves as guardians of our waters and educators of our youth. We are committed to represent the sport with the excellence it deserves. 2009 could be a trying year for many so it is in times like these that we all come together and support our fellow members. On behalf of the entire OBFN I’d like to wish you all a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.
Kenny H.
2008 in Reveiw
