Over the years of tournament fishing many of us have come to know the familiar faces that fish them. Although we seem to exchange a few words and laughs from time to time with them, unfortunately we really don’t know much more about them.
One these familiar faces is an angler named Gilbert Cheff.
Since I was curious to learn more about him, I asked him if he would be interested in being featured in my column.
His response was ‘Sure.’
We picked a date where we both would be free to spend a day on water.
Gilbert was born in Kapuskasing but grew up in Cochrane, Ontario. He lived there for 21 years before moving to Timmins.
As a child, Gilbert recalls visiting his grandfather that lived on the shores of Lake Commando, where he would frequently accompanyhe and his father on numerous fishing trips throughout the year for multiples species, but mostly walleyes.
Fishing with his father was a normal weekend occurrence.
When Gilbert was old enough, he and a couple of his friends would bike to one of numerous small stocked trout ponds around the Cochrane vicinity and fish for Speckled Trout.
There they would spend the day walking the shorelines fishing and eating peanut butter and jam sandwiches.
I wonder if the peanut butter sandwiches I had for lunch that day jarred his memory back to those days.
Back in the early 1980s, Gilbert told me he used to record every fishing show on his trusty VCR.
His favorite fishing show personalities were Bob Izumi, Babe Winkleman and Al Lindner.
After watching these shows, he would then attempt to try their suggested techniques.
Some he was successful at and some not.
His first walleye tournament was in 1985 on Little Abitibi Lake.
The tournament was a five-day event which Bob Izumi attended.
He recalls being excited to be competing against a well known professional angler.
This is where Gilbert got bit by the “Walleye tournament bug.”
He enjoyed the competition, the challenges, the thrill of the catch, the atmosphere and discussions among the other anglers.
In 1997, at the Cochrane Sportsmen Club Annual Walleye Hunt on Little Abitibi Lake, Gilbert and his partner placed first overall with 43.9 lbs with 10 fish.
According to Gilbert, It was one of those tournaments that nothing could go wrong even though they did lose a 26 incher at the net and another 27 incher in the livewell.
Back then he recalls keeping fish alive was still a learning curve.
Since 1985, Gilbert has accumulated three 1st Place wins, eight Top 10 and five Top 20 finishes in Walleye tournaments.
Gilbert also has two 1st Place wins in Pike Tournaments.
This year, Gilbert was also featured in Ontario Out Of Doors with a nice Walleye he had caught while on holidays.
At the moment Gilbert doesn’t have any sponsors.
This hasn’t detered him as it is his love of fishing that drives him.
According his wife Karen, he was born to fish.
Speaking of Karen, Gilbert says she is his biggest supporter, who has never denied him access to his passion which at times has taken him away on weekends from home and family.
Karen has also fished in a number of tournaments with him.
Gilbert goes on to say that Karen is very patient and successful in catching as much fish as he does.
As a matter of fact I made a comment on the number of rod holders Gilbert had in his boat.
With an ear to ear smile and a chuckle, Gilbert told me that Karen was placing her rods in his rod holder places.
He couldn’t have that so he had to install some rod holders just for Karen’s rods.
Some of Gilbert’s favorite techniques are drop-shotting rigs and slip-bobbering.
He told me that he found slip-bobbering to be a very relaxing but efficient method to fish.
Gilbert also believes that it is very important to fish with other anglers to learn techniques which you are not familiar with or have not yet mastered.
There is always the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge to perfect your sport.
Even while fishing with me for this bio, he shared some of his own secret techniques which I truly appreciated.
I’d like to take a moment to thank Gilbert for a great day on the water and thought it only fitting to end the interview with this statement from Gilbert:
“I was flattered to be considered for this bio. I do not consider myself to be a professional fisherman but I do believe that with the many years I have dedicated to this sport, I am very confident in my ability to produce. I appreciate the exposure given to me and hope that I can inspire the younger generation to get out there and enjoy the sport also. I also would be honoured if I was sponsored on any level.”
Whether you’re an angler or hunter; a camp, lodge, resort owner; or just holding an outdoor event and would like some exposure, please feel free to email us at bungee001@gmail.com.
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