Peterborough Man Hits Jackpot Catching Top-Prize Fish "Walter" At 36th Annual Fishing Derby

Peterborough’s D.J. Rheams walking away with $1,000 after catching top-prize rainbow trout ‘Walter’ at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters 36th Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Tuesday afternoon.

D.J. Rheams with top-prize fish Walter. The catch is a four-pound rainbow trout. Walter had originally jumped over a netting barricade and was caught downriver by unregistered participants. They got to keep the fish but a '“New” Walter was thrown into the canal on Saturday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 34-year-old caught the four-pound rainbow trout just before 3 p.m. Rheams originally was not planning to attend the Derby until his sister convinced him to participate. The Lindsay-born angler had fished on Monday without catching anything. He almost gave up before he discovered that he hooked and eventually caught Walter.

“Honestly, when I finally stopped trying, I just was daydreaming,” explained Rheams. “Suddenly my line just starting running.”

A volunteer pointed out that Rheams had hooked the prized fish but he did not believe it at first. He sought out help in catching and reeling the fish in and it paid off.

“I was in disbelief and she helped me land it,” he said. I paid the admission for the extra help. It was unbelievable.”

Rheams had always participated in the Derby when he was young and had always dreamed about landing Walter.

“Just as a kid, you always think about catching Walter and how it's a big deal,” he explained. “One of first people I'd call were my cousins and I'd always do this Derby with them as a kid.”

Rheams already has plans to use the $1,000 he has won.

“We actually have a kid coming June 2nd so I definitely want to be buying baby stuff. That's quite exciting,” he said.

Last year, no one caught Walter and claimed the top prize.

The derby continues until Sunday, with $3,000 worth of prizes still available at the time of this article's publication. This includes “Rosie” worth $250 and a free OFAH Day Camp.

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CANCAST Fishing and Tackle Show Returns to Peterborough Memorial Centre On March 30

The biggest party in fishing is coming back to town as the CANCAST Fishing and Tackle Show is hitting the Peterborough Memorial Centre and Morrow Building on March 30.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre

The event will be vending gear from top brands, participating in the famous tackle swap, expert seminars and meet-and-greets with celebrity anglers.

Early Bird tickets are $13.60 plus applicable fees until Jan. 1. Afterwards, they are $16.60 plus applicable fees.

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Peterborough Brothers Take Home Titles At Humminbird Bassmaster Elite Championship

Peterborough’s Chris and Cory Johnston went hook, line and sinker to win some prestigious titles at the 2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River in Waddington, N.Y. on Sunday.

Cory (left) becomes the third Canadian to have three Bassmaster Championships. Chris (right) is the first Canadian to win a Bassmaster Elite Series Event. Photo courtesy of Andy Crawford, Seigo Saito and Bassmaster.

Chris won the 2024 Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title while brother Cory claimed first place in the 2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite tournament.

Chris placed 31st place after day one of the tournament on Friday. While the placement was disappointing, it was still a win in the bigger picture that clinched the Angler of the Year title.

“I might have one trick up my sleeve still,” said Chris. “I haven’t practiced it. I’m just going to wing it. I have nothing to lose now. I can fish with no pressure. I know there’s big ones that live there. I hope the wind makes them bite a little better.”

His ‘strategy’ paid off as he weighed his lot of 29 lbs., 5 ozs – the biggest five-bass limit of the tournament so far – that clinched the title.

“You have no idea how much stress I was under the last couple of days,” said Chris. “Everything that could have gone wrong did. A couple of nights, I didn’t get to sleep until like one in the morning.

Cory was the first Canadian to win the 2024 Humminbird Bassmaster Elite with his haul of fish totaling 102 lbs., beating out Robert Gee, who had 100 lbs. and 7 oz.

“It was a lot of hard work; I put a lot of time into this,” said Cory. “I’ve said it 100 times, this is my favourite place to come, this is my favourite crowd with all my family and friends, all the Canadian support — and it’s a short drive home.”

Cory cycled throughout the standings during the four-day event. He placed fourth on Day One with 25 pounds, and on Day Two, he added 27 lbs. 7 oz. to tie Gee for second. On Semifinal Saturday, Johnston weighed 24 lbs. 14 oz. and slipped back to second, 13 ounces behind Gee.

On Championship Sunday, Johnson came through, delivering 24 lbs. 11 oz. for the win. The victory earned Cory his second entry into the Bassmaster Century Club, recognizing an angler for catching 100 pounds or more with four days of five-bass limits.

“I screwed up here last year and spent too much time in the river the first day and blew my chances at winning,” said Cory. “I said, ‘I’ll never make a cast in this river again. I don’t care if there are 12-footers in the lake.’”

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Free Fishing For Father's Day Weekend In Ontario

In honour of Sunday Father’s Day, Ontario offers free fishing for both days on the weekend.

The last annual free fishing event this year is Family Fishing Week (June 29 to July 7) to celebrate Canada Day. Photo courtesy of CAMCAST.

“Father’s Day weekend is a great time to get out on one of Ontario’s beautiful lakes or rivers and enjoy fishing,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources. “Fishing is a fun activity for everyone in the family and it’s a great way to spend time together, so I encourage you to cast a line June 15 and 16 to celebrate Father’s Day.”

In most of Ontario, fish species such as yellow perch, common carp, northern pike, lake trout and walleye are eligible. The provincial government encourages those to check the Fishing Regulations Summary for fish all limits since some waterbodies can have exceptions.

You must carry identification issued by the provincial or federal government showing your name and date of birth if you are fishing for free during this period.

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Two Peterborough Men To Be Showcased In Internationally Televised Fishing Show

Two Peterborough men are appearing on the country’s longest-running fishing program, ‘The Fish’n Canada Show’ with PTBOCanada’s own Kirtus Evoy and Ben Logan, Fontaine’s Source for Sports owner.

Evoy (left) and Logan (right) showcasing one of their keeper fish used at the weigh-in for the tournament. They two got to represent their team to have their fish weighed. Logan joked that Evoy was compared to the Toronto Maple Leafs for being able to reel in fish during the pre-tournament but failed to haul a keeper fish, similar to the famed NHL team struggling to exit the first round of the NHL playoffs with a series win. Photo courtesy of Pete Bowman.

The show has anglers and hosts Angelo Viola and Pete Bowman travel coast to coast searching for trophy fishing opportunities to educate and showcase the nation’s great fishing locations.

The episode with Evoy and Logan entitled, ‘The Miramichi Striper Cup’ in Miramichi, N.B., is set to air internationally on Saturday. This will be the show’s 547th episode aired in over 35 years of programming.

The Striper Cup was a four-man team fishing tournament held back in May.

“This was a great experience for us since our previous tournaments are ‘usually’ with one partner (two-man team),” explained Bowman. “This was a four-man team, something we have never experienced before so we highly anticipated it.”

Evoy and Logan earned the opportunity to participate in the tournament, partnering up with the hosts after winning an auction from the Lindros Hockey Classic for Easter Seals in November 2022.

“The thought of Kirtus and Ben donating a big chunk of change to the Easter Seals makes this episode extra special,” said Bowman. “From teaching the boys to use baitcasting gear, to ripping them around the Miramichi River and 60+mph, to netting their fish and them netting our fish and the best part, having them walk up the boardwalk to the weigh station to weigh our catch.”

Logan fishes roughly once or twice a year and had never entered a tournament prior to the episode’s filming. Evoy had fished with his ‘papa’ since he was young and often fishes on Chemong Lake with his children.

“It was amazing. There were so many things that I’ve never experienced before,” said Logan. “I’m not an avid fisherman. The stuff I learned from little things to seeing 180-200 boats lined up was something I’ve never seen before.”

“The experience with Pete, Angelo and their team was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” explained Evoy. “Everything from the accommodations, dining and fishing on the Miramachi were awesome. Best of all, I got to enjoy the experience with a great friend.”

There was a lot of work and preparation going into the event and episode taping but it was a surreal experience for Logan.

“It was unbelievable. The first day we went there, we met them that night when we bid on it,” explained Logan. “We started from the basics by day four of fishing. We knew what to expect. I started to catch a lot of fish. The weather went from windy to one day when you were bitter cold. The water was whitecapped, sunny and 20 degrees and back to windy. (It was) Unpredictable weather. We fished in every type of condition.”

While the team was nowhere close to finishing near the top, the experience was unforgettable for the Peterborough fisherman every step of the way.

“Going out for dinner with people that ran the tournament with how amazing people were, they treated you like they were one of them,” said Logan. “They brought fresh lobster. The hospitality was unbelievable.”

Photo by Kirtus Evoy.

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CANCAST Fishing and Tackle Show Reels Its Way to the Peterborough Memorial Centre For April 7

Anglers rejoice as the CANCAST Fishing and Tackle Show is coming back to the Peterborough Memorial Centre and Morrow Building for April 7, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re over the top excited for this year’s event,” says Kyle Carruthers, show director. “Once again, our partnership with the team at the Peterborough Memorial Centre has allowed us to bring one of the biggest fishing events in Canada to the City of Peterborough in an even bigger fashion than the previous years.”

This year, the show features over 170 vendors and 60 personal tables in the tackle swap as well as boats on display from local dealers.

Admission provides access to both buildings, the outside vendors and free entry into four seminars from top industry pros.

Tickets are availble online, over the phone or in person at the Grant Thornton Box Office. The Box Office is open for in-person sales on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Tickets are $16.60* plus applicable fees and taxes. Children under 12 require a free ticket.

*Prices are subject to change.

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Ontario Free Fishing Continues From Canada Weekend Until July 9

Canada Day celebrations do not have to stop for anglers as the Ontario government is continuing their week-long free fishing event running until Sunday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CANCAST

“To help families celebrate Canada Day, we’re making it easier to get out on the water and experience the world-class fishing opportunities that exist in Ontario,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Fishing is a fun and affordable way for families to enjoy quality time while connecting with nature.”

Families are encouraged to plan their fishing trip or find a local event by visiting http://www.ontariofamilyfishing.com/.

ID issued by the provincial or federal government must be carried, showing your name and date of birth during this free period.

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Free Fishing In Ontario For Father's Day Weekend

For those who want a way to celebrate with their dads, the Ontario Government has permitted free fishing this Father’s Day weekend.

“Fishing is a great family pastime,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “With fishing being free this Father’s Day weekend, it’s a great time to get out on one of Ontario’s lakes or rivers and enjoy this wonderful sport.”

Several species such as yellow perch, carp, northern pike, lake trout and walleye are eligible for this weekend’s fishing. The Ontario Government reminds the public to follow all limits on how many fish you can keep as some waterbodies have exceptions. The Fishing Regulations Summary has a list of limitations for this weekend.

All conservation license catch limits and carry ID issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth are still in effect.

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Free Fishing In Ontario During Mother's Day Weekend

To kick off the spring fishing season, anglers in Ontario can celebrate Mother’s Day with free fishing this weekend.

Additional annual free fishing events include Father’s Day weekend (June 17-18) and Family Fishing Week to celebrate Canada Day (July 1-9). Photo by David Tuan bui.

“Whether you’re new to fishing or an experienced angler, it’s a great way to bond with family this Mother’s Day weekend,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “This is a fantastic way for families to get out and enjoy one of Ontario’s greatest natural resources – our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams.”

To anyone fishing for free on Mother’s Day weekend, all conservation licence catch limits, size limits, sanctuaries and all other fishing regulations and rules still apply according to the Ontario Government.

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Peterborough Tackle Swap and Fishing Show Coming To the Memorial Centre

The Peterborough Tackle Swap and Fishing Show returns with larger venue capacity on April 2.

Photo courtesy of CanCast

Under its new banner name and parent company CANCAST Fishing, the 2023 CANCAST Fishing and Tackle Show will mark the official 2nd running of the Peterborough event.

The CANCAST Fishing and Tackle Show will be a hybrid event, featuring a new expo Industry EXPO side showcasing the latest products to hit the market from top industry manufacturers, top bait makers and some of Canada’s biggest retailers. On site the show will include some of the Top Fishing Guides, Fishing Charter Captains, Tournament Series Directors and top Industry Prostaff.

The event will also feature the largest used fishing and tackle swap meet in Eastern Ontario.

“We are beyond excited for this event to happen. We have secured both the Memorial Centre and the Morrow Building as well as a large outside section of the venue and it is going to more than triple our capacity limit,” says show promoter Kyle Carruthers. “We are excited to be working with the Memorial Centre for advanced ticket sales, and with fast entrance to the show, this should solve some of the hurdles we ran into at last year's event with the crowd. Honestly, I can’t wait to see Peterborough become the capital of fishing in Canada once again on April 2nd.”

Tickets are $11.30 (plus applicable fees/taxes, subject to change) and children under 12 are free. Tickets are on sale online, over the phone or in-person at the Grant Thornton Box Office.

The box office is open for in-person sales Wednesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information visit the CANCAST website.

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