Mattagami First Nation Spring Walleye Tournament Recap

June 3 and 4 saw anglers come from all over Ontario to compete in the 2017 Mattagami First Nation Spring Walleye Tournament. This tournament also kicks off the start of the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail where anglers compete for points for a chance at being crowned the 2017 Angler Of The Year. Before the rule meeting Friday evening, anglers took advantage of the ever-popular all-you-can-eat pasta bar by J and L Lakeview Retreat and Restaurant from 5 to 7 p.m. for $15 per person. Once again, anglers weren't disappointed by the way Jim Loiselle and his staff prepared each dinner with all the fixings. While waiting in line to be served, anglers talked about how the week’s cold front and rain would impact their pre-fishing strategies with the warm weather and clear skies forecast for the weekend. Saturday morning, anglers woke to fog. For everyone's safety, tournament officials decided to delay the start of the tournament until the fog lifted. Fortunately, anglers didn't have a long wait. As the day went on, the forecast didn't disappoint anglers as they started peeling off layers as the temperature rose. After anglers finished weighing and the weights were posted at the end of day one, Jason Doyon and Nick Huckson were in first with an impressive weight of 16.05 lbs. Nipping at their heals in second place was 2016 Angler of the Year Miguel Tailleur and his partner Denis Gendreau with 14.68 lbs. Andre Chenier and Darren Dinel were in close pursuit with 14.04 lbs. in third place. Big Fish of the Day went to André Chenier and Darren Dinel with a hog of a walleye which weighed in at 9.22 lbs. Close behind them with the second biggest walleye of the day were Jason Doyon and Nick Huckson and their 9.02 lb walleye. The third largest walleye of the day was taken by Miguel Tailleur and Denis Gendreau that weighed in at 7.72 lbs. Saturday evening, anglers had a chance to talk about their day with one another as they enjoyed their free steak dinner at the complex, which was included in their registration fee. Sunday morning, anglers awoke to a change to the original weather forecast causing them to return to their warmer clothing as rain and cooler temperatures was forecast for the day. At the end of two-day tournament, the following 25 teams were able to put a pattern together which helped them cash a cheque:     1.    Jason Doyon and Nick Huckson 27.40 lbs     2.    Jamie Robinson and Terry Bernath 23.20 lbs     3.    Darcy Guenette and Mathieu Guenette 21.73 lbs     4.    John Labine and Jonathan Morin 21.30 lbs     5.    Miguel Tailleur and Denis Gendreau 21.28 lbs     6.    Taylor Klimczak and Stephane Morin 19.78 lbs     7.    Chantal Cauchon and Ken Perreault 18.98 lbs     8.    Jody Villeneuve and Chad Vis 18.86 lbs     9.    Luc Audet and Dan Breault 18.30 lbs     10.    Matt Guacci and Denis Perrier 18.11 lbs     11.    Roger Lafontaine and Ray Lafontaine 17.64 lbs     12.    Jeff Shippam and Dan Katic 17.40 lbs     13.    Craig Salmonson and Rock Bouchard 17.38 lbs     14.    Denis Martineau and Dave Pilon 17.30 lbs     15.    André Chenier and Darren Dinel 17.02 lbs     16.    Sébastien Lizotte and Jeff Vipond 16.70 lbs     17.    James Lund and Don White 16.35 lbs     18.    Denis Martin and Perry Caverson 15.72 lbs     19.    Cory Nephin and Dean Bliss 15.45 lbs     20.    Henri Roberge and Annie Roberge 15.20 lbs     21.    Eric Belanger and Luc Belanger 15.00 lbs     22.    JC Cayen and John Vrolyk 14.80 lbs     23.    Brian Millions and Robert Huff 14.39 lbs     24.    Mark Lytham and Phil Nadjiwon 14.31 lbs     25.    Martin Boisvert and Roger Toussin 14.26 lbs For the rest of the recap Please, go to : https://www.timminstoday.com/columns/fishing-the-north/fishing-the-north-the-mattagami-first-nation-spring-walleye-tournament-637933