2013 Photocontest Winners
Another tough year for the judges, with nearly a thousand photos submitted by our members. We've reviewed all the photos submitted and gone through several rounds of arm-wrestling over which photos should be winners. In the end we narrowed it down to the top 25, with a Publisher's Pick selected in each category.
We want to take this opportunity to make a special thanks to our Title Sponsor, the BC Toyota Dealers, for making this year's contest possible. They are also running a contest for $1,000 in outdoor gear. Click the link to qualify.
ACTION
"On the Thompson River near Ashcroft B.C.", submitted by Nash Wiens. The grand prize for this category is $100 cash provided by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC plus a complete set of a Backroad Mapbooks for the province of choice. Other winners in the action category are shown below and will receive a package of Lucky Bug Lures. |
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FISH
"Snapped this underwater photo of a cuttie I caught on the Oldman River in southern Alberta", submitted by Ron Gebert. The grand prize for this category is $100 cash provided by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC plus a complete set of a Backroad Mapbooks for the province of choice. Other winners in the fish category are shown below and will receive a package of Lucky Bug Lures. |
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GENERAL
"I could not tell you how long it took. What I can tell you is when I finally brought him to the surface, he ripped himself from the harpoon and ran 350 feet back to the bottom of the ocean. My crew mates hung on to my bibs as I slid across the deck, refusing to let go. It is only through pure adrenaline and my sister whispering in my ear, "you have to do this on your own" that I managed to reel this monster fish in twice. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. Quatsino Sound, British Columbia", submitted by Kasey Kay. The grand prize for this category is $100 cash provided by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC plus a complete set of a Backroad Mapbooks for the province of choice. Three of the winners were selected for their great stories as well as the great picture. The other two were selected for their truly unique characteristics. Take a look at each of them and explore very different journeys. The other winners in the general category shown below and will receive a Rapala rod and reel combo with hat from the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association. |
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KIDS
"Kylie's first Fraser River Sockeye. After a couple years of watching and learning from daddy,it was finally time to put her skills to the test!What a proud day!", submitted by fishnbc. The grand prize for this category is $100 cash provided by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC plus a complete set of a Backroad Mapbooks for the province of choice (plus a fishing rod for Kylie). The other winners in the kids category are shown below and will receive a Rapala rod and reel combo with hat from the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association. |
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SCENERY
"On the Thompson River near Ashcroft B.C.", submitted by Nash Wiens. The grand prize for this category is $100 cash provided by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC plus a complete set of a Backroad Mapbooks for the province of choice. "It took hours of hiking along a rugged trail, but we finally reached the Upper Falls. The trail was so faint in places that we ended up bushwhacking most of the way. We were beat up and exhausted by the time we reached the falls, but as soon as we stepped into this majestic cathedral of stone it was all worth it. The light mist from the falls cooled us off and invigorated us. We fished on the gorgeous pool below the falls for huge brown trout and then hiked out before dark. We didn't see a single other person the entire time. When fishing, stunning scenery, and solitude combine into one magical day, it's unforgettable", submitted by Orrin Olsen. The grand prize for this category is $100 cash provided by Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC plus a complete set of a Backroad Mapbooks for the province of choice. Other winners in the scenery category are shown below and will receive a package of Lucky Bug Lures. |
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FACEBOOK WINNER |
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With 490 votes (at last count) the winner of our Facebook "Vote for your favourite photo" is Nothing Like Your First Sturgeon! submitted by Tim Ansley. "I took my father-in-law out to catch his first Whist Sturgeon on the Fraser River and we landed 6! Here is our biggest. A day we'll both remember forever!" Tim wins a weekend getaway at Elysia Resort, and a reel from Northern BC Tourism. Thanks for the great photos and for everyone who took part in our first ever member voted photo in our annual photo contest. To look the votes for all photos, just visit our Facebook page and hover over the image to see the number of votes each picture has received. |
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Share Your Local Knowledge and Qualify for Weekly Prizes
The Angler's Atlas is built on a foundation of sharing fishing maps with our members. As part of building a more comprehensive website we also want our members to share local knowledge about their fishing places. The site allows any member to post their own photos, comments and map markers to a lake.
To encourage more members to contribute their local knowledge we are providing two incentives for our members: Weekly prizes this fishing season (May to August) and official recognition of the members with the best posts on the website and in newsletters (see below).
"Fishing" Ambassadors for Week of May 13th
We've got some great contributions again this second week of May. The winner of the weekly prize is bobpeltzer for the excellent map markers on Lake Clear in Renfrew, Ontario. Thanks for the tips, and we'll be sending out a pack of Lucky Bug Lures for these great contributions.
Other great posts for the week from:
- BCSportfishingGroup with a great post and sturgeon photo for the Lower Fraser River in BC.
- gmitch with a great post and tips for Thetis Lake in BC.
- BillyBobsBait for Lake Nipissing and Red Squirrel Lake in Ontario.
- SilversidesFishingAdventures for Lower Fraiser River in Lower Mainland BC.
- Aylmer_Lake_Lodge for Clinton-colden Lake in Northwest Territory.
- adleach11 for Ashby Lake in Ontario.
- debra1 for Dinosaur Lake in BC.
- allizell for Babine Lake in Skeena BC.
And more map markers from:
- gmitch for a hot spot on Thesis Lake, in BC.
- Terroza for a boat launch on Gods Lake, in Manitoba.
- Aylmer_Lake_Lodge for hot spots on Clinton-colden Lake, in Northwest Territory
- Silversides Fishing Adventures for boat launch and hot spot on Lower Fraser River, in Lower Mainland BC.
And a few questions from our members:
- Bobsalong for Red Squirrel Lake in Ontario.
- mpat for Kerry Lake in BC.
What is the West Coast Grand Slam?
It’s spending a day fishing the North West coast of Vancouver Island catching salmon, halibut & prawns (though some people like to spread it over several days). Do it in your own boat or on a guided trip you will find lots of action.
Salmon
Chinook - Huge schools of these hardy strong fighting fish are already moving down Island. These fish are aggressive feeders that move into the mouth of Esperanza Inlet to feed on the abundant school of bait.
Coho - This year’s run of West Coast Vancouver Island Coho is projected to be the largest run in years. As a result Fisheries is moving the limits up from the past several seasons. This season you can keep 4 Coho per day. That’s a lot of fish!
Coho are exciting fish to have on the line, they are acrobatic and often set more than one line off at a time -“DOUBLES”.
Halibut
Lots of these fish are close in shore early in the season. Hali’s are often hooked as incidental catch when trolling deep at Ferrer Pt., off Bajo Reef, and on the Highway. These are white flaky delicious eating fish that can really test a fishermen and the equipment especially if caught on salmon gear. There are many well know Hali. Holes in our area, known for consistently producing halibut when fished with a spreader bar & an extra-large herring. Local guides or a chat at Westview Marina’s tackle shop will get you to the hot spots.
“Happy Fishermen/women are those who Catch Fish”
Prawns
These critters are thick throughout Nootka Sound and Esperanza Inlet. If you are bringing your boat DO NOT FORGET YOU PRAWNING GEAR. If you are being guided ask if the trip includes Prawning. Limits are 200 per day. That’s a lot of PRAWNS!
For more info about fishing, moorage, accommodations & charters contact Big John at Westview Marina & Lodge (250) 934 7672. john@westviewmarina.com www.westviewmarina.com
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Go Fish Chetwynd
The town of Chetwynd sits in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Northeastern B.C., surrounded by numerous lakes and rivers.
There are five rivers in the area where anglers can test their skills-the Murray, Sukunka, Pine, Moberly and the mighty Peace; all of which provide excellent fishing opportunities. The first river you may notice is the Pine as it follows Highway 97 into and out of town. Many of the rivers in the area start in the Rocky Mountains and are high energy systems with lots of action. The largest is the Peace River and it is regulated by two large dams upstream of Hudson's Hope. But if you are looking for calmer waters look to the Moberly River as it meanders its way across the land.
In addition to the rivers, many lakes dot the landscape, and we feature several here. These include lakes right beside the highway, such as Sundance (Hwy 97), Gwillim (Hwy 29), Moberly (Hwy 29) Lakes and others that are geared for anglers seeking a backroad adventure, such as Stewart and Jackfish Lakes.
The waters around Chetwynd carry a wide variety of sportfish, including rainbow trout, char, pickerel (aka walleye), Artic grayling, northern pike, burbot and dolly varden.
If your preference is ice fishing, there is still time in early March to get out on the frozen water before break-up.
The town of Chetwynd has everything you need to gear up and wind down. From here, it's an easy hike, bike or drive to your new favourite fishing spot. Come and see all that Chetwynd has to offer!
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Fishing the Northern Rockies
The Northern Rockies of BC, with its spectacular peaks, lush forests and pristine lakes, is the place to go this summer. Whether it's family fishing you're after, or total backcountry solitude, you'll find it in the Northern Rockies.
Don't let the sandy beach fool you, Maxhamish Lake is true wilderness. This beautiful lake is only accessible by quad from a staging area off of highway 77 (Liard Highway). You will find pike and walleye, and the sounds of nature.
Stunning Muncho Lake Provincial Park and Summit Lake (in Stone Mountain Provincial Park), are both nestled amongst ice-capped mountains and are required stops on your Northern Adventure. You'll be wondering whether to reach for your camera or your fly rod! Of course, the arctic grayling are waiting...
Everywhere you go, you'll be greeted by warm northern hospitality. Come and stay at one of the region's first - rate fishing lodges, or stop at the Fort Nelson Museum that celebrates the region's history and the building of the Alaska Highway.
Take a hike, literally! Guided or self-guided hiking and horseback tours are available, through remote and unmaintained wilderness parks or just off the beaten path. Of course, when you're done trekking through the rugged backcountry, a trip to the Liard Hot Springs is a perfect cap to an exciting adventure.
Tetsa River, home of the Tetsa River Fishing Derby in August, is a great place to camp and enjoy the scenery. Andy Bailey Lake, with its campsites and (non-motorized) boat launch, is a great spot and easily accessible off the Alaska Highway, 30km south of Fort Nelson.
Come North, and find Adventure at its Peak!
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'Catch Me If You Can' in Tumbler Ridge
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is a dream destination for anglers and outdoors enthusiasts, from the high-energy waters of the Murray River to the lazy day setting of Gwillim Lake Provincial Park, and everything in between.
If trout is what you're after, Moose Lake has them. Test out those new fly patterns on the rainbows in this popular fishing spot. Or take the kids to Quality Lake for some quality time in the regions Family Fishing Waters.
Take a short drive out to Bearhole Lake for fabulous fishing any time of year. Ice fishing for burbot is a great way to spend a sunny winter day. One Island Lake is one of the angling jewels in the Peace country, both for its spectacular scenery and its big fish.
Our famous waterfalls are a must-see on any visitor's list, including Kinuseo Falls - taller than Niagara! Riverboating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and waterfall bagging - wherever there's water, Tumbler Ridge has found a way to enjoy it.
Beyond the freshwater adventures, many other attractions draw visitors to the area, including the family-oriented Grizfest Music Festival and the most beautiful half marathon anywhere-the rugged Emperor's Challenge.
There are also signed trails that lead to special and secret places - magical caves, fascinating geological formations and world-class dinosaur trackways.
Grab your thirst for adventure and discover all that Tumbler Ridge has to offer! Visit the Tumbler Ridge website for more information.
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Help Improve Our Website (and qualify for a $100 prize)
We want members to contribute their local knowledge to The Angler's Atlas website, and we need to learn what would motivate members to participate. So we have set up a short 10 question survey to get your feedback.
Please take a few minutes to provide us with your opinions and you will be entered into a draw for a $100 prize. The survey runs until May 31, 2013. The winner will be announced in June.
Favourite Lakes Followed
With over 600 lakes followed by members, the Follow This Lake program seems to be popular with a lot of members. Click on the image to use the interactive Google map and explore any of the lakes followed.
10,000 Lake Maps for Ontario
We've recently acquired over 10,000 lake maps for Ontario and now we have a problem... where to start? So we've come up with a novel idea: let our members decide.
But to get your lake to the top of the list, we need something from you. We need help building our local knowledge about these lakes. So we want to see your pictures, we want to see access places marked on the map, and we want current information and tips about fishing the lake.
You don't have to give up your hot spots but you can still help build our information base. In return, we'll start adding these maps to the site first. Get started by finding your lake.
If we don't have your lake in our database, just send us an email and we'll get it up right away. Send an email to mail@anglersatlas.com with the lake name(s) and location. Then start posting your local knowledge.
2013 BC FISHING MAGAZINES ARE OUT!
Nine new fishing magazines have just been published for every region of British Columbia. Click on a cover and read the online version of the magazine.
Vancouver Island Fishing 2013
Lower Mainland Fishing 2013
Thompson Nicola Fishing 2013
Kootenay FIshing 2013
Cariboo Chilcotin Fishing 2013
Skeena Fishing 2013
Omineca Fishing 2013
Peace Fishing 2013
Okanagan Fishing 2013
