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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - All ,Miltonian 's Fisher Girl hooks on to majo chain New Une getting test run at local Wal-Mart By STEVE LeBLANC The Champiort * MacKinnon was always confi- rIdent FisherGiri would catch on. However. reelirtg in a major department store dis- tributor -even on a single outlet trial basis -cer- tainly wasn't expected this early in the game. Yet that's precisely what's happened for the 47-year- old Miltonian. who back in February launched a line of gear specifically designed for femnale anglers -some- thing the market's been more or less lacking until now. The introduction came at the Toronto Fishing Show. where unbeknownst to Ms MacKinnon. a representa- tive from Wal-Mart was 'fishing' for new products. "At ftrst 1 was shocked. surprised and apprehensive that they were interested," Ms MacKinnon recalled. But that quickly gave way to excitement and eager acceptance, and subsequent meetings led to an agree- ment for a test run at the nes'. Milton store. which began last tnonth a.nd svill be expanded with a tew new rods and clothing items Friday. Thrilled with agreement I would neyer have imagined this so soon," admit- ted FisherGirl 's creator, who got hooked on fishing six years ago by boyfriend-tumned-husband Andre MacKinnon. "Our target was to perhaps be in a big- box store by 2007. This is way bigger and faster than what we planned. Wal-Mart's been very supportive and 1 just hope it (line) catches on." Because Milton is considered a rather low-interest fishing market, FisherGirl products aren't exactly fly- ing off the shelves. But Ms MacKinnon adds that the line is moving, which offers a lot of proise for what it could do in other areas of the country. 'Tve told my family and friends not to buy the stuif." she explained, after holding a demonstration of her products at Wal-Mart Saturday aftemnoon. "'I want this to, be a true test of how it will fare." In more fishing-friendly parts of Northemr Ontario like Sudbury and Thunder Bay, FisherGirl bas already made its mark on the industty -with credible sales figures in fishing and hardware stores. Ibe appeal, Ms MacKinnon stressed, is that the uine is made by women for women - with roda coming in ail -sorts of attractive colours and made to be easily handled by female anglers of ail ages. "I1 would neyer have imagined this so soon. Our target was to perhaps be i a big-box store by 2007. This is way bigger and faster than what we planned." And the tact that 10 per cent ot ail sales go directly to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada shouldn't hurt either. Remarked Ms MacKinnon. -1 really want the stuff to seil on its own merit, but honestly if you know that part of the proceeds are going to breast cancer 1 think many women are going to be more willing to buy it.- The ideal situation- she said, would be vwomen not only buying FisherGirl products but investing in the line as well - which would give Ms MacKinnon and company the opportunity to break into, the U.S. mar- ket. 'That's the real challenge, that you need money to make money. It's une of those Catch-22 situations." But Ms MacKinnon is hardly complaining -not after taking her fine further than most would have expected in just a few short months. "We haven't been tumned down by anybody." she said. -Things are going great and we're still hoping to have our Cast for the Cure toumnament in Orillia some- time in September." Female anglers can check out FisherGirl produets at the local Wal-Mart or by visiting FisherGirl.com. Steve LeBlanc con be reached at sleblanc@hialton- search.com. Terri MeoKino dtsp#a o1W of 1wr RWeoGhl ro"e fft arn oesurnW on «ie stuv et atiu loca W*MeI& Jt «in *»n for sunuw nhbm;. P7iot by GRAHAMPAIOVE vu' - - Bamu - U $WIMMING LESSONS Private & .5erni -Private l-e55on5 in o private focility or in your pool FuIIy rnsured & an authorized provider of the Canadian Red Cross & Lifesaving Society A littie about me... 1 have been instructing for 5 years in Milton. arn a second year university student majoring in sociology. Arr>y Danks e-rr>it: arny dn hotriait.orn We sell Branci New GM Crate Motors! with Warranty & Gu-arantee 350 - 330 Hp 572 - 620 Hp $ Deluxe Complete$5950ODeluxe Complete 1595001 Saur