Fishing for Kids Tournament

The Fishing for Kids Tournament has come to be recognized as the premier fishing tournament in the Pacific Northwest and is made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors, including Macquarie, The West Coast Fishing Club, Vancouver Canucks, Ledcor Group of Companies, Delta Group, Helijet, Aria Resort & Casino, The Province and Vancouver Sun, Delta Bridgemans Services and Ruskin Construction. Leading BC companies from a range of industries share a common goal to raise much-needed funds for families and children living with autism in BC.For more information about Fishing for Kids Fundraising Tournament, please visit www.fishingforkidstournament.com. Or, contact The West Coast Fishing Club at toll-free 1-888-432-6666For more information on Canucks Autism Network, visit www.canucksautism.ca

2016 Fishing for Kids Tournament raises $800,000 for Canucks Autism Network

For the 11th consecutive year, a group of ardent and competitive anglers eagerly took to the waters of Langara Island in late August intent on claiming first prize in The West Coast Fishing Club’s Fishing for Kids Tournament, widely regarded as Canada’s most prestigious and benevolent sport-fishing tournament. Although greeted by heavy rain during the pre-tournament session on day one, spirits were far from dampened as the 42 contestants worked the waters where Tyees are known to congregate, hoping to get a keener sense of exactly where they should focus their efforts when the official action began the following day.

* Paolo and Christian Aquilini ready for take off to the 11th Annual Fishing for Kids Tournament

* Fishing for Kids is a catch and release tournament hosted by The West Coast Fishing Club.In actual fact however, the fun began two nights earlier at the tournament kick-off reception at Reflections Lounge in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, where contestants, sponsors and guests mixed with Vancouver Canucks players, alumni and staff and listened to the music of Alan Frew, erstwhile front man of Juno Award winning rockers Glass Tiger and co-composer of the memorable 2010 Winter Olympic Games theme song I Believe. The next day they made their way to The Clubhouse, where the camaraderie of being in one of the planet’s most fascinating places took over, along with raising big money for The Canucks Autism Network (CAN).

* Derek Dorsett, Kirk McLean, Manny Malhotra, Sven Baertschi, Jim Benning and Willie Desjardins at Reflections Lounge for the FFK Gala.

* Alan Frew performing at Reflections Lounge in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.

* Fin and Champion Child Brandon Carinha. When the two-day competition wrapped up the winner was Glenn Fereday, whose 41.6-pound fish was guided by Kuiama St-Gelais, a former all-star guide at The Clubhouse and lodge manager at The Outpost. Glenn received a cheque for $200,000 for his efforts, but donated it all to the cause, as did all the runners-up, adding to the $820,000 total that went to CAN to support BC families living with autism.

* Tournament winner Glenn Fereday along with John Klassan and guide Kuima St-Gelais.

* Guide Bryce, Will Pauga and Dave Akins pose with Will’s second place 30.76lb Tyee.

* Another release of a beautiful Chinook at the FFK Tournament.John Klassen, who coincidentally was in the St.-Gelais boat with Glenn, also tossed back his cheque for $23,400 for taking first prize in the Coho pool. The evenings were highlighted by the finest of food and drink, complimented by more music by Frew and company and assorted fun and games designed to further loosen wallets and raise even more money for a truly meaningful cause.

* Tournament winners Will Pauga, Glenn Fereday and Scott Jacob.

* Fin, Champion Child Brandon Carinha, Derek Dorsett, and Sven Baertschi on the back deck of The Clubhouse.With the 2016 edition of the Fishing for Kids Tournament now in the books, the total amount raised to date in support of BC kids now tops $8 million. Congratulations to FFK vice-president Courtney Hatfield and members of her organizing committee and to tournament master Derek Nyrose for a stellar job once again. Sincere gratitude to sponsors and participants – hope to see you all back when we do it over again in 2017.

* Paolo Aquilini, Carlos Carinha, Katy Harandi, John Carinha, Fin, Brian Grange, Kirk McLean, Brandon Carinha, Derek Dorsett, Sven Baertschi, Jim Benning, Glenn Fereday, and Willie Desjardins.The 11th annual Fishing for Kids Tournament, presented by Macquarie, was a huge success and we look forward to another great event August 27 to 30, 2017. Thanks to all of the sponsors: Macquarie, The Vancouver Canucks, Silver Wheaton, Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, RYU Apparel, Helly Hansen, Penta 5 Packaging, Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Tesla Motors, Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, Central City Brew, Two Rivers Meats, Triple O’ s Restaurant, J.P. Wisers, Tom Lee Music and Adcentives.

* Fishing For Kids Tournament participants on the back deck of The Clubhouse.