| Aug 08, 2013


Ashley Rae has become the face of fishing in Eastern Ontario. She has a TV show that will be aired later on this year and she has been promoting fishing in other media as well. And this summer she has been working with the Land O’Lakes Tourist Association (LOLTA) to publicize the first annual Land O’Lakes Small and Largemouth Bass Fishing Tournament.

The tournament takes place on August 17 on five lakes in Frontenac County (Loughborough, Desert, Big Gull, Kashwakamak and Sharbot) Cash prizes will be paid out on each lake for the three largest bass caught in each lake: $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third. Fish can be weighed in at any time of the day at a station on each lake, so anglers can fish on two or more lakes if they want, and could win multiple cash prizes. It is a catch and release event with a limit of four fish for weigh-in per angler.

“The great thing about bass fishing is that there are so many ways you can do it,” said Napanee-based Ashley Rae, who got her start in fishing as a young girl when her grandparents took vacations at Twin Oaks lodge on Kashwakamak Lake. “It’s something that you can enjoy at any age. You can fish from shore, or in any kind of boat. You can fish for bass in a kayak if you like.”

While the tournament is focussing on lakes in Frontenac County this year, it will move around the Land O’Lakes in future years.

“We have so many lakes to choose from in the Land O’Lakes. By holding the tournament on multiple lakes each year we run an event that does not put pressure on the fish in any one lake,” said Rae. “Also since the weigh-ins can take place at any time, the fish can be released quickly back into the lake,” said Rae.

Rae said that while she has been working 9-5 for LOLTA this summer, she has been making an effort to fish on each of the lakes in the tournament in her off hours, but she would not share any tips about the best bass spots that she has found.

“I will say that the fishing has been really, really good this summer. The high water levels have been great for the fish populations. I’m sure the fishing will be just as good on the 17th as it has been all summer,” she said.

There are a large number of prize draws included for the entry fee of $50. These include the grand prize, a boat package including a LUD WC 14 boat, a 9.9 HP Mercury Motor and an EZ Load trailer from LD Power Sports, a package valued at $10,000. Other prizes include a one-week stay at Kirk Kove cottages and Marina on Big Gull Lake and a two-night stay at Pleasantview Lodge on Brule Lake.

The tournament runs from 7 am to 4 pm, and will be followed by an awards ceremony and Seed to Sausage Chicken BBQ at Sharbot Lake beach starting at 5 pm.

“The goal of the event is to promote awareness of the fishing opportunities in the Land O’Lakes and all proceeds from this year’s event will re-invested into next year’s,” said Rae.

Tickets are still available by email or at a number of participating businesses in Frontenac County. For further information, go to Travellandolakes.com and click on the Fishing Tournament link. By registering on the LOLTA website, entrants have a chance to win any of the draw prizes, even if they are unable to participate in the fishing.

Support local
independant journalism by becoming a patron of the Frontenac News.