Mathieu Guenette is a young angler heading to Geraldton to compete in the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail Championship.
Like many of the anglers, Mathieu has his sights on winning the grand prize package valued at $66,000, thanks to Princecraft Boats, Mercury Marine Canada and J&B Cycle and Marine along with the Geraldton Walleye Classic first prize of $10,000 bringing the total prize to $76,000.
Although Mathieu and his father have only fished the NOWT for four years, their determination to make the championship was apparent last season when they put together some top placing which helped them qualify for the 2019 NOWT Championship.
This was quite the accomplishment for this young angler and to do it with his father is something I'm sure he'll always treasure for the rest of his life.
I'd like to introduce the second young angler heading to the NOWT Championship, Mathieu Guenette.
Q: What year did you decide to fish in the NOWT and why?
A: The first year I started fishing in the NOWT was in 2015. I decided to fish in the NOWT because I am a competitive guy and I figured I was ready. My father, Darcy Guenette had been fishing in the NOWT for many years and he would always talk about how great the tournaments are and that he would always have a blast. So I would say he is the main reason I started as we both liked the idea of a father and son team.
Q: How did you feel when you found out you made the NOWT Championship?
A: When I first found out I made the NOWT championship, I was actually in class and my dad ended up calling me to tell me. When I first heard the news, I was just really shocked and excited at the same time. I just felt so proud of myself and my dad because we worked so hard all year to get there and we were competing against so many great anglers.
Q: Would you suggest fishing the NOWT to other young anglers? And if so, why?
A: I would strongly suggest fishing the NOWT to other young anglers because no matter where you finish in the tournament, you learn so many new things. Even if they are just getting started, these tournaments are such a great experience.
Q: Did qualifying for the NOWT Championship help you obtain new sponsorships?
A: Qualifying for the NOWT championship did help me obtain a new sponsorship – J&B Cycle and Marine.
Q: Who are your sponsors for the 2019 season?
A: My sponsors for the 2019 season are Battery Battery Timmins, J&B Cycle and Marine, as well as Twin J Hide-A-Way.
Q: Any thoughts on how fishing in the championship will be for you?
A: Fishing in the championship will be a much different experience for me. The [competition] level will be that much higher because of the prize we can walk away with. It will be very serious but I am also going to have tons of fun. This tournament could be a once in a lifetime experience so I am very excited.
I would like to wish Mathieu the best of luck in the NOWT Championship and look forward to competing against him and his father, Darcy.
