Back in 1994 when I first started fishing walleye tournaments, you rare saw women fishing in these tournament, although there where a few ladies that would participate.

With the start of Northern Ontario Walleye Trail in 2003, women anglers started fishing with their spouses or boyfriends. Some continued to fish, however many stopped for a variety of reasons.

Over the last couple of years, the NOWT has seen a growth in the number of female anglers that now compete in several of their sanctioned events yearly.

I thought it was about time to feature one of these ladies that has had some success over the last couple in my column.

Here is a little background on one of the female anglers that competes in the NOWT, Chantal Cauchon.

Q: Where were you born?

A: Timmins, Ont.

Q: Who played a role in getting you started in fishing?

A: My father.

Q: As a youth, where did you fish and for what?

A: I only fished in the Timmins area for walleye and pike at our family cottages.

Q: What age did you start fishing?

A: In my early teens.

Q: How did you get into walleye tournament fishing and why?

A: Really it’s a funny story. Where I have a camp with my husband, they were hosting a fishing tournament and I wanted to fish with him. He said I already have a partner, I said, “Oh ya!” So I called my sporting goods manager at my store and the rest is history.

Q: What was your most memorial fishing experience and why?

A: Gogama tournament because it was my first and we won first place!

Q: List any anglers that helped you learn more about fishing over the years.

A: Ray Seguin (husband), Paul Ethier (friend) and also my partner Ken Perreault.

Q: List sponsors and tournament finishes.

A: Fished the Gogama tournament, finished first. MFN spring 2017, finished 7th, MFN, fall 2017 finished 6th.

Q: Biggest fishing supports over the years? Example family and friend(s).

A: My husband (Ray Seguin) and my dad (Roger Cauchon).

Q: What are some of your favourite fish you like to fish for and why?

A: Walleye because you never know what they want, they’re so picky. Example: the water temperature spring fishing for them is different than fall. It’s a great challenge. Also bass because of the fight when you hook them.

Q: What is your favourite fishing technique(s) for walleye?

A: I really enjoy bottom bouncing and jigging in place.

Q: Why do you fish walleye tournaments?

A: I started fishing tournaments for PR for my store to promote fishing as an outdoor activity for the whole family. Now I’m hooked. It’s such a rush!

Q: Why did you agree to have your bio done?

A: I agreed to do this because Dave said he had never done one on a female angler that fished on the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail. I thought it would encourage more women to fish tournaments and see it’s a rush and fun.

Q: Any tips you would give to a new walleye angler looking at fishing the NOWT?

A: Don’t think you can’t do it. I’m perfect example, fish for fun!

Q: What would be some of your greatest accomplishes over the years of fishing?

A: Being a business owner of a sporting goods store is one of my biggest and able to do fishing tournaments placing in the top 10 for both is my second. Also being a mom of two beautiful successful girls is my greatest accomplishments.

Chantal not only fishes the tournaments, in 2014 she assembled the Albert’s Fishing Team. By having a pro staff team not only helps her promote her business, but to also provide her customers a variety of products they can trust in purchasing.

Her involvement in promoting the sport of fishing didn’t end there. This past season, Albert’s Sports and Work Wear Ltd. where major sponsors for a new fishing show called Fish On hosted by Paul Ethier. It airs on Eastlink Sundays at 3 p.m. and throughout the week on channel 10 and 610 for HD viewing.

I would like to take a moment to thank Chantal for taking the time out of his busy work schedule to answer these questions for this article.

Attention ice anglers: If you haven’t already registered for Mattagami First Nation Pike Derby in February 2018, you can register now online here.