Angler Young Angler Introduces Kids to Competitive Fishing

Focus on Kids at AYA Tournament!

Dryden AYA 2011 Winners John Butts, Aidan Butts and Luke Turcotte

The Angler Young Angler program takes place in Red Lake, Dryden and Thunder Bay Ontario as well as many other cities in Canada and the U.S. This year's Championship is in Kenora on Lake of the Woods. The Angler & Young Angler Tournaments started in 1998 with the intent of giving  youth the opportunity to fish in a Competitive style tournament.  The main objective is to introduce young anglers to competitive sport fishing in a fun environment surrounded by family and friends. Kids get to spend time with their parents fishing together. The memories created will last a life time.

This year Red Lake held their event on June 5th on Red Lake. Dryden's  was on July 9th on Wabigoon Lake, Thunder Bay's was also on July 9th on the Kam River and the National Championship is being held held on Lake of the Woods in Kenora this year taking place on August 13th. The 2011 winner of the Dryden AYA was John Butts, Aidan Butts and Luke Turcotte. Gord Ellis along with team members Austin Ellis and Landon Brochu won in Thunder Bay this year. The 2011 winners from Red Lake were Ed Goulet, Jenna Goulet and Brett Kreiger.

Huge walleye from Dryden's AYA Winning Team

Each team consists of 1 adult angler and 2 young anglers under the age of 17. Since fishing is the main attraction in this part of Ontario, the tournaments are one of the highlights of the summer and a fun family event! There is an official weigh-in, prizes and a BBQ to follow a day of fishing. The winner of each regional event qualifies for the opportunity to participate in the International Championship. The first place team wins the title of  'Angler & Young Angler International Champions'  as well as an all expense paid trip for 4 to Walt Disney World.  The second place team wins a fishing trip for 4 to a Wilderness North lodge. Past years have seen trips include Knee Lake Resort, Plummers Lodge, Totem Resorts and to Arctic Adventures.

In March 2012, there will be the Third Angler Young Angler Ice Fishing Derby. The 2011 Ice Fishing Derby was held on Lake Winnipeg. Carter Johnson, an 8 year old angler stole the day catching a huge 12.08 greenback walleye. For his catch, Carter won a trip to God's Lake Lodge.

The AYA events are filmed and presented on TV. The series is broadcast throughout the country, reaching millions of children who do not have the chance to participate in the tournaments. A goal of the AYA Fishing Tournaments is to expand the exposure of youth fishing throughout Canada, by participation in the tournaments and reaching them through TV. Go the Angler Young Angler web site to see video clips of excited kids and families fishing across North America. You can also find out information on how you too can become a part of the AYA experience.

For a list of other fishing tournaments in Northwest Ontario, please visit our list of Fishing Tournaments in Sunset Country.

UPDATE: August 16, 2011
The winner of the 2011 Angler Young Angler Championship on Lake of the Woods was John Butts of Dryden, a former Professional Walleye Tour angler, his son Aidan Butts and friend Luke Turcotte (pictured above after winning the AYA in Dryden earlier this summer). The Dryden Team won the tournament by 1.22 lbs, with a total of 46.41 lbs. Second place winners were Ed Goulet, Jenna Goulet and Brett Kreiger from Red Lake, Ontario. The winners win a trip for four to Walt Disney World and the Red Lake trio win a trip for four to a Wilderness North fly-in lodge.