Cornwall SDG Counties hosting major fishing event

Members of Team Canada for the 2019 Pan Am Bass Championship

The Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CSIA) in conjunction with the Canadian Sport Fishing League (CFSL) is pleased to announce that the 2019 Pan American Bass Championship will be held in Cornwall and SDG Counties, Ontario, from October 15th to 19th inclusive.

The 2019 Pan American Bass Championship is an international fishing tournament that will see the top competitive anglers from Canada, First Nations, United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and possibly other countries of the Americas, visiting the Cornwall region in search of big bass. This will be the first-ever Pan Am Bass Championship to be held on Canadian water and land, and it will be the starting point for the Canadian International Sportfishing Association.

This year’s event will be known officially as the Cornwall SDG Counties Pan American Bass Championship. Competition will take place on the section of the St. Lawrence River called Lake St. Francis. Anglers will practice fish on Wednesday, October 16th with the official competition taking place on Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th. (See full itinerary below)

Television fishing celebrity Bob Izumi, who has captained Team Canada in previous Pan Am tournaments held in other countries, says that the Cornwall SDG Counties region was his first choice when considering where to hold this historic event in Canada.

“Lake St. Francis is a world-class fishery for a number of species of fish,” states Izumi. “The numbers of big smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as all of the amenities Cornwall & SDG Counties have to offer make this the perfect venue for the Pan American Bass Championship.”

The event is sponsored by Cornwall Tourism and SDG Counties in conjunction with the Partnership Fund of Regional Tourism Organization 9, an initiative to build and introduce new tourism products and experiences in eastern Ontario. The Pan American Bass Championship is also being supported by the new Cornwall Tourism Development Fund. For more information on the Cornwall Tourism Development Fund, please click here.

Team Canada Qualifier Results

Thirteen 2-person teams competed on Lake St. Francis on Tuesday, August 27th and Wednesday, August 28th to determine the top 7 teams that will join Bob and Darren Izumi to represent Canada at the Cornwall SDG Counties Pan American Bass Championship in October. The teams and their 2-day weights (maximum 5 bass per day) are as follows:

1. Andy Kinstler & Scott Lecky 44.60 pounds
2. Rob Lee & David Chong 43.20 pounds
3. Robert MacMillan & Ryan Flaro 43.04 pounds
4. Matt Massey & Robert Greenburg 42.70 pounds
5. Stephen & Phil Hegarty 42.38 pounds
6. Nicolas Gendron & Jason Gramada 41.98 pounds
7. Brian Hughes & Anaise Chaves 40.26 pounds
Bob and Darren Izumi received a bye at the qualifier and will lead Team Canada in October

The remaining six teams that competed this week are: Joe Ford/Brian Bickell (39.62); Peter Savoia and Jeff McGee (37.30); Phil Curtis and Brent Valere (37.16); Fern Campeau and Jason Greentree (35.64); Ian Morin and Christopher Voldock (32.04); and Oliver Grigull and Tim Fernandes (13.80).

All fish were returned to Lake St. Francis following each day of competition.

Volunteer and Sponsorship Opportunities

There are sponsorship opportunities for the Cornwall SDG Counties Pan American Bass Championship in October and there is also a need for volunteers to assist during the event as scrutineers and boat drivers. For more information, please contact Mike Melnik at mike@impactcom.ca or 888-296-8978 (office) or 705-931-3282 (cell).

About Lake St. Francis

Lake St. Francis is a multi-species fishery with an abundance of smallmouth and largemouth bass. Twenty to twenty-five pound five fish limits are common on this fertile section of the river. There’s more than 40 miles of fishable water for the anglers to explore.

About the 2019 Pan American Bass Championship

All Pan American countries have been invited to enter from one to eight pairs (teams of two). This historical event will be the starting point for the Canadian International Sportfishing Association and will be an exciting challenge for all the anglers from the Americas. There are currently 41 nations participating in the Pan American Games, and we wish to invite them all.

2019 Pan American Bass Championship Itinerary

Tuesday October 15 – Arrival
5:00 pm – Registration & Team photos at Ramada Inn Hotel and Conference Centre
6:00 pm – Competitors and Stewards meeting where boat numbers will be drawn
7:00 pm – Opening Ceremony of Championships
7:30 pm – Buffet dinner

Wednesday, October 16 – Day 1 Training (Practice)
5:00 am – 6:00 am – Buffet breakfast
7:30 am – Takeoff at Marina 200
3:30 pm – First flight check-in
4:00 pm – Second flight check-in
7:00 pm – Dinner

Thursday, October 17– Tournament Day 1
5:00 – 6:00 am – Buffet breakfast
7:30 am – Takeoff at Marina 200
3:30 pm – First flight check-in
4:00 pm – Second flight check-in
7:00 pm – Dinner

Friday, October 18 – Tournament Day 2
5:00 – 6:00 am – Buffet breakfast
7:30 am – Takeoff at Marina 200
3:30 pm – First flight check-in
4:00 pm – Second flight check-in
Medal presentation on CFSL stage immediately following weigh-in
Closing ceremony of Championships immediately following medal presentation
7:00 pm – Buffet dinner

Saturday, October 19 – Departure Day
6:00 – 7:00 am – Buffet breakfast
8:00 – Depart for Airport

Additional Events

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Make sure to check out our Events page for info on upcoming events in the area!

Additional Information

Planning a visit to Cornwall? Cornwall Tourism can help. Email us at info@cornwalltourism.com to request a copy of our Visitor Guide or contact us at (613) 933-0074. You can also stop by the Cornwall Tourism office at the Cornwall Civic Complex (100 Water Street). The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – we would be happy to answer your questions and provide you with recommendations and information to make your visit to Cornwall even more memorable!

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