Eastern Divisional Qualifier Returns to Ontario
In 2003, for the first time in BASS Federation Nation history a Divisional Championship event was held outside of the continental United States. Although several other countries are represented within the BASS Federation Nation (OBFN), Canada was chosen by BASS as the country best equipped to showcase the event. Locally, the Ontario BASS Federation Nation played host to the Northern Divisional Championship on beautiful Georgian Bay out of Midland. Some of Canada's best anglers, including David Chong, Doug Brownridge, Greg Roth, and Terry Crawford were part of the OBFN’s Team Ontario but it was fellow team mate Jamie Janson who after three days came out on top. Janson therefore was the National Contender who went on to Oklahoma to represent Canada the following year in the FNC Championships.
For those American visitors fishing Georgian Bay for the first time, they were awestruck at the beauty of the spectacular scenic waterway that the 30,000 Islands offered them.
They were equally impressed with the fabulous bass fishing along some of the same scenic granite shorelines that have forged so much of Canada’s history.
Little did they realize at the time, that only a four hour boat ride and a couple of locks away along the Trent Canal System, there was an arguably even more impressive bass fishery that would host the FNC Eastern Divisional Qualifier a few short years later.
Georgian Bays Umbrella Islands
Eastern Divisional Qualifying Teams
Ontario
Vermont
New Hampshire
New York
Connecticut
Road Island
Maine
Port of Orillia
Team Ontario 2003
Jamie Jansen
Rob McKill
Mike Augot
Terry Crawford
Dave Chong
Doug Brownridge
Shawn Robatille
Franklin Jansen
Greg Roth
Matt Hubble
Dave Bairstow
Jim McLaren
Brian Berriault
Team Ontario 2009
Hyatt, Rob
Chong, Dave
Johnson, Dave
Rogers, Gord
Green, Garrett
Graves, Barry
Sanderson, Gary
Whyte, John
Kung, Andrus
Mansholt, Garry
Huffman, Scott
Lowes, Kevin
Johnson, Ryan
Watch the action live on
ESPN 2 or Live weigh-in
at www.Bassmaster.com
Ontario Smallmouth Record 9.84 lbs.
Ontario 5 Bass Tourn.
Record 29.90 lbs.
Lake Simcoe 2006
Ontario 15 Bass Toun.
Record 73.35 lbs.
Lake Simcoe 2006
In 2009 the venue changes to one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the world - Lake Simcoe and one that still holds several Canadian Bass Tournament records. It currently holds the all time Canadian Tournament record for the five heaviest bass ever weighed in during a one day tournament (29.90lbs of smallmouth caught during the BPS Lake Simcoe Open in 2006) and for the heaviest 15 bass ever weighed in during a three day Canadian tournament (73.35 pounds lbs at the 2006 New Ark Open). The 2009 FNC Eastern Divisional Qualifier out of Orillia will be the host city for the event and will offer anglers easy access not just to the bountiful waters of 745 sq kilometre Lake Simcoe, but also to adjoining Lake Couchiching – a highly respected bass fishery in its own right.
Seven states from our neighbors’ south of the border will get a taste of Lady Simcoe's fat Smallies or her big largemouth … or even either a combo of both in Lake Couchiching. All anglers, whether native Ontarians or non resident visitors, will have to be prepared for the potential weather temper tantrums that Lake Simcoe in particular can throw at them. If it blows bad enough – all may elect to stay in nearby ‘Cooch’, which can still blow but is typically more fishable under adverse weather conditions. Team Ontario, now in the Eastern Division will have a chance to show off some of their top anglers on one of their best fisheries. You can rest assured they will be vying for top team honors, something that has eluded them since the last time we hosted an FNC on Georgian Bay in 2003
Dates
Easter Divisional Qualifier
Port of Orillia July 22nd to 24th
