Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship - 2000 Tournament

2000 Tournament

In an effort to be able to a receive entries from new teams a revised method of accepting entries was implemented for the 2000 tournament. Teams finishing in the top ninety in 1999 were offered a spot in the 2000 tournament field and the balance of the field (40) would be filled by draw. Ninety-five teams entered the draw for those 40 spots.

In 2000 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship worked with CBQ Thunder Bay in a regional contest that extended the field by one team. That team was composed of a CBQ radio host and the contest winner, a young man from Manitouwadge. 2000 also saw may changes: the number of flights were changed from four to five to decrease congestion during the weigh-in, the KidPro was moved to the Sunday before the tournament, the first big sign was erected at the tournament site. The 2000 tournament was covered by TSN and we crowned our first local champions.

In 2001 130 teams competed for $130,000.00. New Big Screen Software was introduced, the selling of souvenirs was tendered out, a new 24 foot section was added to the tent to make room for growing crowds, bleachers were added for additional seating and a big map joined the big sign at the Sorting Gap Marina parking lot. Quest for the Best returned after taking a year off. Kids and adults alike enjoyed the huge inflatable fun toys that dominated the site during the day and the Hawg Trough returned. The docks were decorated with flags and the Walk of Fame celebrated previous winners. The second local champion was crowned. First place, second place and third place teams featured local anglers.

In August 2001 the position of O-Fish-L Angler Ambassador was created. The criteria was that the title would be bestowed upon a competing angler who has made and continues to make a significant contribution to the promotion of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and the advancement or Rainy Lake, Fort Frances and the Rainy River District as an angling and vacation destination. Al Lindner was appointed to the position of O-Fish-L Angler Ambassador.

For 2002 the field of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship was expanded to include the winners from six regional tournaments. 2001 Winning teams from the Castin’ for Cash on Lake Despair, Kenora Bass International, Sioux Narrows Bassin’ for Bucks, Morson Bass Classic, Atikokan Bass Classic and the Rainy Lake Fall Bass Classic were offered spots. This increased the field to 133 teams for 2002.

In 2002 a third Catch & Release Boat was added to ensure that the increasing number of fish weighed could be returned to Rainy Lake safely. Daytime Land was created in the gassy area to the west of the north parking lot. It was a hit for both kids and their parents. Bobber was born. A seven-foot bascott was acquired and quickly became a crowd favourite. An additional fundraiser was created to help offset rising costs with the introduction of Bobber’s Big Bass Bargains. This Penny Table had prizes for every age group.

Also in 2002 a Fort Frances Canadian Bass Tournament Bursary was created. It was awarded to a graduate of Fort Frances High School who was going on to studies in the sciences in a Canadian University. A comprehensive angler survey was conducted in 2002 that polled competitors on ideas to grow the tournament. The results of that survey provided organizers with plenty of food for thought and are still referred to when making decisions.

In 2003 the field was expanded to 136 teams and the winning teams of the six regional tournaments were again offered spots. An ever-growing event prompted the growth of Daytime Land and the addition of a Food Court. Five local food vendors joined Safeway in providing a varied menu for the hungry crowds. A second stage was added for Kids’ Activities and the weigh-ins were broadcast live on the internet.

We crowned our tenth championship team in 2004. As a result of increasing the entry fee and expanding the field to 138 teams to include all previous champions, the winning team that year received $50,000.00.