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  • The Biggest Freshwater Fighter in Canada

    What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught in your fishing career? Do you still dream of it?

    By Patrick Campeau

    The most imposing family of fish in terms of length and weight that swims in our waters is the white sturgeon. It can grow to almost unbelievable sizes!

    Social Networks

    fishing in BC
    Riley Luenberger’s team caught the biggest fish of the Wild Sheep Jurassic Classic Fishing Experience of British Columbia with a giant white sturgeon of 9 Feet, 10.875 Inches and a weight of 640 pounds.

    Over the past few years, like many of you, I have received photographs via Facebook and Instagram showing three, four, or five fishermen immersed in water up to their stomachs and holding at arm’s length a sturgeon that looked disproportionately large at 8, 9,10 feet. I must have received at least 20 different versions of these shots with different anglers from one picture to another. Then, the net surfers got carried away, and many of them started talking nonsense. Some even resorting to what I consider to be the simplest and most boring answer, Photoshop. As if all photos of big fish were automatically retouched, and the fish were too big to be real!

    Real facts

    The White Sturgeon is unique to BC and is the largest freshwater fish in North America. Predominantly found in freshwater, this survivor from the dinosaur age over 200 million years ago can live more than 100 years. These giants can measure up to 6.1 metres and weigh up to 816 kg.

    Spawning populations of white sturgeon are known to occur in three large river systems on the Pacific coast of North America: the Fraser, Columbia, and Sacramento Rivers.

    Since 1993, only catch-and-release sport fishing has been allowed to ensure the species’ survival.

    A great invitation

    Prizes including Yeti
    In addition to the trophies and honours, many winners walked away with Yeti products such as the Tundra, Roadie, V Series, Hopper, Rambler, GoBox, and more.

    On August 17th, Yeti Canada’s PR and community event manager, Emma Bray, sent me a special invitation to a unique event. As she explained, a media guest had just cancelled, and she asked if I could participate in the Wild Sheep Jurassic Classic Fishing Experience to be held August 23-25 in Chilliwack, BC. I would be part of the Yeti media team with Emma Bray and two outdoor writers for various magazines, Mike and Courtney Hungle. We wouldn’t be able to participate in the tournament, but we could fish at the same time and compare our catches with those of the competitors. Guess what? I immediately said yes right away!, and hopped on a plane to Vancouver. Yahoo!

    The event

    fishing
    Imagine all of the strain such a trophy can put on a rod and reel—long minutes of pleasure.

    The 8th edition of the Wild Sheep Jurassic Classic Fishing Experience of British Columbia is organized to raise funds for Wild Sheep Conservation and to spend a weekend on the Fraser River, which is a conservation success story with sturgeons.

    Using this iconic species of the Fraser River to bring sportsmen together is a fantastic way to raise funds for the four sub-species of wild sheep in BC. They invite people from all over North America to compete in a friendly environment and experience a fantastic fishing event in a unique part of the world.

    A total of 28 teams comprised of two anglers accompanied by the guides of the Great River Fishing Adventures spend two days trying to catch the biggest sturgeon for bragging rights and claim victory. Major prizes are awarded for the longest fish, the most overall length for the event, the smallest specimen, and for a random length so anyone can win. More than $18,000 is given in prizes and awards, fully donated by generous sponsors like Yeti, Sitka, and Stone Glacier.

    Most available teams are sold at auctions at various conservation organization fundraisers in North America. These very exclusive, limited spaces are usually bought by anglers and nature lovers from Florida, Alaska, California, and all over Canada. “The Jurassic Classic has attendees from across North America and several Western Provinces. In the past, we’ve had guests from as far east in Canada as Ontario but have yet to have guests from Quebec or a Maritime Province. It would be a great opportunity for someone to come and represent Eastern Canada at this event and compete,” explains Trevor Carruthers.

    Every year, the Wild Sheep Society of BC raises from $50,000 to $ 75,000 for this great cause, which they put directly back into conservation projects such as disease testing, habitat burns, and other initiatives to support those iconic mountain animals. All of the fundraising operations like this tournament are organized and run by unpaid volunteers.

    The fish

    fishing in BC
    More than 56 anglers took part in this annual tournament which enabled them to raise from $50,000 to $75,000 for this great cause from the Wild Sheep Society of BC.

    These large fish are scavengers. They scour the seabed at depths ranging from 40 inches to 100 feet to locate various forms of food. Its mouth is ventral and is directed downward. The white sturgeon has no teeth; instead, it uses its mouth as a “vacuum cleaner” to literally siphon up food.

    The guide usually uses powerful 8-foot rods with 13 guides to distribute the weight evenly across for maximum leverage. A large Penn round reel is used with a 170-pound braided line. In the end, there’s a large 16 to 32-ounce sinker, a leader, and a 9/0 semi-circle hook. As bait, we use a large, dead finless minnow beveled to ¾ or pieces of sockeye salmon sliced into strips.

    The white sturgeon has an extraordinary sense of smell, which is estimated to be 25 times more powerful than that of dogs. When the fish locates its prey, it positions itself over it, lifts its tail, and lowers its head. It can then siphon the food. Once in his mouth, he’ll chew and grind it before spitting it out and starting again. He repeats this operation up to 15 times. During this time, the angler can only see subtle movement from the surface. So you have to be very attentive.

    “It’s almost unthinkable to catch a specimen over 12 feet with just a rod and reel because they’re too heavy and, above all, too powerful,” says guide Rich Stahl, who has never broken the 11-foot barrier.

    Our results

    fishing in BC
    What more can we say other than WOW! Catching such a fish will stay with them forever.

    On the first day, the Yeti team caught an 8.3 feet, a 7.2 feet, and one that was 53 inches. You don’t weigh the fish to avoid hurting them. The measurement helps determine the approximate weight, like the 8.3 we caught, which weighed between 285 and 300 pounds.

    On the second day, we started with a 4-foot catch, and that was it for the day.

    Many of the competitors had some really great results. For the longest fish, the team of Riley Luenberger won with a 9-foot, 10.875-inch, and an estimated weight of 640 pounds. The next four positions were 9’2”, 9’1”, 9’06”and 9’02”. Their estimated weight was 621.59, 571.24, 525.29, and 516.87 pounds. Incredible, isn’t it?

    The 9-foot, 10.875 inches is the record for the last five years. In 2023, the largest fish was 8’4”, 8’11” in 2022, and 9’5” in 2021 and 2019. The tournament was cancelled in 2020 because of Covid.

    For the most overall length for the event, the winners caught a total of 122 feet, and the runner-ups were 97, 69, and 62 feet.

    For the most number of fish caught, A guide named Dawson helped his guests land 25 white sturgeon, followed by 19, 12, and 10 for the weekend.

    When the anglers participate in such a tournament, it’s under an all-inclusive format, from meals to hotels, alcoholic beverages, fishing guides, boats, etc. To participate or to donate to this great cause, you can call Trevor Carruthers at 250-919-5386 or check out the Wild Sheep Society of BC website or social media pages. 


    Go Fishing: The Art and Science of Baitcasting Reels. By Patrick Campeau

    Patrick Campeau is a professional fisherman and a three-time provincial champion, inducted into the Canadian Pantheon of Fishing. Find out more about Patrick Campeau at 

    www.pcampeau.com or www.facebook.com/lapassiondepatrickcampeau

Eastern Canada

  • Luxury living for boaters, realized at The Harbour Club Residences in St. Catharines

    The Lake. The Luxury. The Life.

    By Hasan Nasir

    Private boat slips, waterside dining, exquisite local wineries, and more, all made possible in Port Dalhousie and The Harbour Club Residences. A great symphony of local culture, attractions, and community, working seamlessly together to elevate the boater lifestyle.

    Here, modern design meets historical waterways, offering an unparalleled living experience.

    Harbour Club ResidencesStunning St. Catharines & Niagara Region

    The Harbour Club Residences and its surrounding region harmoniously compliment one another, blending classical ambiance with luxury. St. Catharines hosts a wide selection of historical landmarks and scenic lakes, not to mention its small-town charm. Easily take off onto Lake Ontario waters through one of the many convenient boat launches, cruise the waves through breathtaking vistas, and enjoy the delightful boutiques, restaurants, and sites such as the antique Looff Carousel in Lakeside Park.

    Experience the dreamy lifestyle that only The Harbour Club in Port Dalhousie can offer.

    St. Catharines is also home to the esteemed Port Dalhousie Pier Marina, one of the most visited and renowned marinas on the south shore of Lake Ontario, frequently drawing in boaters from near and far. Among the many offerings of the region, you will find such treasures as the Dalhousie Yacht Club, providing a plethora of useful boating services including deep water slips, gas, and more, all designed to cater to the needs of its distinguished members.

    Not to mention, the region is home to the renowned Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course, a historic landmark that has nurtured future Canadian Rowing Olympians for over a century.

    Waterfront Lifestyle West of the City

    The Harbour Club Residences offers a wide range of suites, meticulously crafted to blend elegance and comfort, all enhanced by its stunning locale

    • 42 suites remaining:
    • 35 Harbour Estate suites,
    • 5 Heritage Lofts,
    • 1 two-storey penthouse and 1 three-storey Penthouse

    The Sails Pavilion offers a glimpse of what’s ahead with its suite showcases, also making it the perfect venue for waterside events and gatherings.

    Pre-construction reservations are available now, granting the opportunity to embark on your nautical dreams early!

    Residents will enjoy an exceptional range of amenities and luxurious suites, all supported by The Harbour Club’s renowned reputation, having been recognized with three Awards of Distinction from the Ontario Home Builders Association.

    The project is a joint venture between successful developers Valour Group and SDR, and spearheaded by architect, Sheldon D. Rosen, The Harbour Club Residences are sure to become a marvel of Port Dalhousie! 

    Amenities

    The Harbour Club provides an exceptional range of premium services, ensuring residents relish a lifestyle of unparalleled luxury and comfort. Whether you reside in the Harbour Estates, Heritage Lofts, Live/Work spaces, or one of its lavish Penthouses, you are automatically granted “Exclusive Harbour Club Member” status, unlocking access to an array of exceptional property features designed to enhance your living experience

    Here are just a few highlights residents of The Harbour Club can expect:

    Discover a lifestyle of elegance and comfort in the heart of Port Dalhousie

    (Items are proposed only and may change without notice)

    • Dog wash and pet grooming station
    • Yoga studio
    • Fitness studio
    • Club lounge and games room
    • Private event space with a full kitchen
    • Library
    • Heritage Gallery
    • Car wash centre
    • Car charging stations (available in selected parking areas)
    • Enhanced 24-hour digital security
    • Private boat slips with power and water service
    • Private waterside patio with sun-seeker lounge areas & tranquil gardens
    • Outdoor dining areas
    • Multiple BBQ stations
    • Fire pit
    • Waterside promenade and park
    • Fishing dock

    All in all, you will find nothing short of quality, comfort, and luxury from The Harbour Club Residences coming soon to Port Dalhousie! Boating enthusiasts as well as those who appreciate the nautical lifestyle from a distance, will find their living dreams realized here, and beyond.

    Prospective buyers are encouraged to contact The Harbour Club as soon as possible to take advantage of the pre-construction pricing structure, as a limited number of reservations remain, and prices are expected to see an increase once construction has concluded.

    The following are the Pre-Construction Incentives:

    (Restrictions apply)

    • $25,000 Decor Credit
    • $0 Assignment Fee
    • Free Condo Fees for the 1st Year
    • Extended Deposit Structure:
    • $5,000 on signing
    • 5% less $5,000 in 30 days
    • 2.5% in 60 days
    • 2.5% in 120 days
    • 2.5% on December 1, 2025
    • 2.5% on December 1, 2026

    Contact The Harbour Club at 1-905-225-0275 or visit https://theharbourclub.ca for more details.