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‘VnxmAM 13118: SUN a con HEDhA Gnour “People might not do a fly-in fishing trip, but they will still find a way to do their hobbies," he says Mr. Wegman aglees. “If the recession continues, wemayseeashiftinthetypeof While they may not catch an exotic species, such as an artic char or grayling, some good smallmouth or largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike and muskie fishing exists within driving dis- tance, Mr. Chong says. “Kids fishing events like the Uxbridge Huck Finn event on opening of trout season saw over 1,000 kids and their families fishing Elgin Pond in Uxbridge,” he adds. The recession may force anglers to stay closer to home and cancel plans for trips to farâ€"away spots. PHOTO COURTESY LURES AND TOURS While some anglers may be putting off trips to exotic destinations these days, those with a passion for the sport will find ways to keep fishing, tournament organizer Andrew Pallotta (right) of StouFfville says. angling adventures people take be added up. Competitive anglers will pay “Weekends were a zoo on Lake Simcoe. It made me wonâ€" der if more people were laid off and that’s why numbers were up â€" especially mid-week. On weekends, I saw more families so perhaps many parents realized the inexpensive activity of angling can still allow them to get their kids out and have fun. The Aurora resident’s assertion was evident during an early season Outing on lake Simcoe. Close to 100 WIS were out on the waters of this province’s sixth-largest inland lake on a weekday. “I would say I saw more anglers this past winter enjoying the great old fashioned winter than I have in quite some time. Even during mid-week occasions when I had a chance to go out, it appeared as if numbers were up," he says. “I’d say in times ofa reces- sion, people will still find a way to carry out their favourite hobbies," Veteran tournament angler Dave Chong says. Aurora Bassmasters conserva- tion directoer] Wegman says the sport may be at its healthiest state ever. “I don’t see that changing. Peo- ple need an outlet for relaxation and leisure." You can take the boy out of fish- ing. but you can’t take fishing out Of the boy. Not even during bleak eco- nomic times. Recession has anglers reeling in plans BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA mhayakawa @yrm g. com DESPITE ECONOMIC SLUWDDWN, PLENTY OF ENTHUSIASTS STILL WETTIIIG LINES LOCALLY A regular participant on the bass tournament scene, Mr. Chong thinks entries in live-release com- petitions could be afiected. Costs for travel, gasoline for the boat and overnight accommodation have to angling adventures people take part in,” he says. “But, overall, I don’t emect anglers to spend less time wet- ting a line or fewer of them doing it. They’ll just evaluate the cost of each outing more and adjust accordingly." “I think we'll see more anglers turn to less expensive club tour- naments to fill that competitive desire so many of us anglers have,’ he savs. 9 Mr. Wegman, who also fishes tournaments, feels the dieâ€"hard tournament angler will always find an event in which to partici- pate. “They will still fish touma- ments, but not do as many," Mr. Chong says. Andrew Pallotta, founder of the Competitive Sport Fishing League, “I expect they will continue to host a full field because they offer over 125-per-cent paybacks, incredible incentives and a reason- able entry Mr. Wegman says of the Lake Simcoe event. Competitive anglers will pay close scrutiny to what events might net the most in return. Among those that could be appealing is the annual Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open Oct. 24. “I think people neéd to find ways to relax.” he says. Sport fishing still remains a popular activity regardless of how the economy is faring, he insists. Mr. Pallotta also runs the Spring Fishing and Boat Show at the Toronto Airport Convention Cen~ tne in February. Attendance increased to 18,000 this year from 12,000 in the inauâ€" gural campaign last yar. This year's show included some of the top tournament anglers from the US. and Can- ada as guest lecturers, which, in turn, may have spurred added interest. At least in terms of basic terâ€" minal tackle, said Tom Cheng, proprietor of Angling Specialties in Concord. “People who go fishing will always buy items like hooks, line, sinkers, floats and live bait," he says. “It's business as usual.” After conducting angling semi- nars during the winter at the Bass Pro Shops outlet in Vaughan and other retail outdoor centres across the province. Mr. Chong conclud- ed anglers will always have enough funds stored away to purchase items. “I think any passion-type of sport has stronger participating opportunities because they’re reality-based. Whether it’s golf or fishing, I think people who are driven by passion will continue to do what they're doing," Mr. Pallotta says. And anglers are still buying up gear. Entering his 15th campaign of staging events, the Stouffville resident says his preâ€"registration numbers remained fairly stable for knows the Ontario tourney scene. ‘Whether it’s golf or fishing, I think people who are driven by passion will continue to do what they're doing! Stoutfville’s Andrew Pallotta, founder of the Competitive Sport Fishing League