Gogama held its First Annual Walleye Tournament hosted by J&L Lakeview Retreat and Gogama Lodge on beautiful Manisnakwa Lake which is located right in the town.
For their very first Walleye Tournament, which was held last weekend (July 26-27), Gogama hit it over the fence.
Friday night after registration, the anglers were able to purchase a pasta dinner for fifteen dollars a plate done by J&L Lakeview Retreat.
Saturday meal that was included with the entry fee was Cajun chicken.
Both meals were prepared by J&L Lakeview Retreat and were out of this world.
Gogama Lodge on beautiful Manisnakwa Lake held the boat checks and weigh-in site.
For their first tournament they made sure that weigh-in was being done properly by having an official in-water weigh station.
By having this set up the anglers were able to place their catch in a basket that in turn was place in a tub of water that was on the weigh scale ensuring for a proper weigh of the anglers catches for the day.
This method also assisted in a safe and healthy release of the fish after they were weighed in.
Here's a funny little story that I think everyone will get a kick out of.
Before Friday Night Tournament Rule Meeting started, I was talking with Ken Perreault.
I asked Ken who he was fishing with and he replied: Chantal Cauchon.
Ken told me Chantal and her husband ( Ray Seguin) camped on the lake and that Ray was fishing it with his regular fishing partner Paul Ethier so Chantal asked Ken to fish it with her.
Sorry boys.
The field of 30 boats consisted of some of the top-notch anglers that fish tournaments throughout northeastern Ontario.
Here are the final results and weights for the tournament:
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1st Place 18.30 lbs Team # 11 Chantal Cochon/Ken Perreault
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2nd Place 16.75 lbs Team # 17 Chad Vis/Vody Villeneauve
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3rd Place 16.20 lbs Team # 3 Larry Neaveau/Roger Beland
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4th Place 15.30 lbs Team # 15 Paul Leclair/Joe Leclair
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5th Place 14.00 lbs. Team 27 David Reid/Andy Yu
BIG FISH WINNERS
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Saturday July 26th/14 Chantal Cochon/Ken Perreault 3.55lbs
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Sunday July 27th/14 – Craig Santala/Christine Henderson 5.65 lbs
EARLY BIRD WINNERS for next years tournament were Team #9 Onge/Rachelle Beaudry.
The prize consisted of a Free Entry for 2015 and accommodations at beautiful J&L Lakeview Retreat.
Organizers were so happy with the out of this tournament that they have announced that next years tournament will be held on July 24, 25, and 26th of 2015 so be sure to mark these dates off for next year.
The tournament committee and Mattagami First Nation would like to thank all of the anglers for coming out to support the Gogama First Annual Walleye Derby.
They hope you all enjoyed your weekend.
The committee would like to start off by thanking all of their sponsors for showing their support for this event.
They would also like to send out a big round applause to all the volunteers that came together to make this tournament possible.
They said that they enjoyed this opportunity to come together for a good cause and welcome other opportunities to come together again.
Speaking of other opportunities for coming together, be sure to register for the 2nd annual Mattagami First Nation Fall Walleye Classic on September 6th and 7th 2014.
Hope to see you there.
(PHOTO: First-place winners Ken Perreault and Chantal Cochon. David W. Reid for TimminsToday)
