The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 8, 2006 - A13 SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sIeblanc@haltonsearch.comi angler reels in cash on Bassmaster tour First Canadian woman tofinish in the money GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION HOOKED ON FISHING: Terri MacKinnon is ail smiles after her strong showing recently on North Carolina's Lake Norman. 1 FREE Duette of wiadahield Washer FIuid + other fluid top ups Factory Parts! - Discount Prices! 40 . iael+ txS«- Sell Mair detaila Meut cava By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF T erri MacKinnons love for fishing has once again paid off - hiterally jumping head first into, the competitive circuit this year, the avid angler finished in the money late last month at the third stop on the new BASS/ESPN Wornens Bassmaster Tour. Catching fish on both days amidst swel- tering conditions on North Carolinas Lake Norman, the creator and minority owner of FisherGiri - a line of gear designed specifi- cally for femnale anglers - placed 20th among roughly 200 competitors from across North America and abroad. She reeled in $500 witb the finish - determined by total weight of each competi- tor's two-day baul - and became Canadas first woman to eamn a paycheque on the international tour. Thrilled with finish "Yeah I guess I can consider myseif a pro- fessional angler," said the 47-year-old Miltonian, who was only introduced to, fisb- ing seven years ago by boyfriend-turned-hus- band Andre. "I've now got career earnings on rny card." The cornerstone of Team FisherGirl - which includes seven U.S. anglers and three from Canada - MacKinnon had corne up empty-handed at the tours first two events in Alabama and Texas this spring. "I'd catch some fhsh on the pre-competi- tion days and then nothing once it started," she explained. "Or I'd catch fish other than bass or ones that were too srnall (less than 14 inches long)." That trend looked like it would continue on Lake Norman, as the local angler headed into the final stretch of each day without any- thing to show for her efforts. But her choice of purnpkin-coloured senkos - comple- rnenting the lakes red-clay edges - would eventually draw thern in, with her second day's catch coming in the final hour of com- petition. "It took a good haîf-hour to bring him in because he went down and wrapped himself around two loga," said MacKinnon That type of lengthy battle is just one of many challenges rnvolved in competitive fishing - which the local angler stressed is far from the leisurely cottage activity many envision. And it's tough to, argue that dlaim. Can be gruelmng After ail, getting up long before dawn to, stand in a boat for eight hours - often in intense beat or a steady downpour - is hardly what one would consider relaxing. Throw in the occasional encounter with an area's wildlife, and the sport can be dan- gerous as well as exhausting. Recalled Macinnon, "In Alabama we had a (poisonous) copperhead snake climb into our boat. The woman I was fishing with had to, knock it out. To see this thing corne out of the water was pretty terrifying, and I guess it's common because before we went out they gave us a manual to study in case we were bit by anything out there." Combine this with the strategy involved, and theres no shortage of excitement when it cornes to competitive fishing. Adding to, the en]oyment level, Macinnon said, is the enthusiasrn and carnaraderie seen arnong participants, at least among the femnale ranks. 'Sorne reporters have told us they don't see that nearly as much with the men." MacKinnon and ber Tearn FisherGirl mates have two more tour events left this summer in Arkansas and Missouri. Looking ahead to next year, she plans to spend more tirne in the States to hone ber craft and still bas plans for FisherGirl to, establish a charity tournarnent nexipyear - likely in Ontario. "A few years ago I couldnt have imagined fishing competitively, but now I can't think of anything I'd want to do more," she said. 1 /2É P RIC E CLEARANCE SàALE!I, Always Needed... ALL BAB Y EQUIPMENT! 363 Main St. E., -- Mifon M mf FhupiaFu = =)87-31fifmifl F i s.j3ai-pm a a -pm -C k .