With the start of the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail tournaments just around the corner, I thought I would kick off the 2016 season interviews with four-time NOWT Angler Of The Year Jamie Robinson.
Jamie was born in Pembroke, Ontario. At the ages of 3 and 4, when his family lived in Geraldton, he recalls walking into Onaman Lake to fish for walleyes with his family. He was told that, if he complained at all, he wouldn’t get to go anymore so he didn’t complain.
Jamie spent most of his youth in Nipigon where he spent every summer day on the Nipigon River chasing brook trout, usually from dawn to dusk. It was during these trips, he would loose track of time and his mother would have to go looking for him as he was late for supper.
Jamie recalls his grandfather had a float plane that his grandfather, Jamie’s father and uncles all flew.
Since they all flew for various air services, Jamie had the opportunity to accompany them on many fly-in fishing trips in Northern Ontario and Quebec fishing for everything – Walleye, Lake Trout, Bass, Pike and Brook Trout.
Jamie says a lot of his knowledge of fishing stems from these trips with this father and grandfather; however, believes he simply learns from his experiences on each and every outing right to this day as his brain never shuts off while fishing.
For example, if he is on the river, Jamie says he is constantly reading the water looking for the seams were fish might be sitting.
While on lakes his head is rarely looking about as he is focused on his sonar unit searching for fish and fish holding structure.
Once he finds a potential spot, Jamie then mentally dissects the structure to see where and why the fish are located there. He says he is always thinking of how and where to catch the next fish.
Since he’s had great success fishing, no matter the species, right from a very young age he decided to start fishing tournaments to test his skills against other anglers.
Some of the earlier derbies Jamie fished included the Nipigon Fall Fishing Festival, Beardmore Derby and other fishing events that were held around Nipigon.
When he discovered Walleye Tournaments in Northern Ontario, it didn’t take him long to enter himself in them.
His first tournament was in 2000 and for the next few years he simply entered more and more tournaments, to a point where he found himself fishing an average of seven per year.
Jamie says, of all the different techniques you can catch Walleye with, jigging and pitching jigs is definitely his favourite technique. There is nothing like feeling a Walleye hammer your jig.
As a resident of Wawa, Jamie also competes in the local Wawa Ice Fishing Derby and the Wawa Salmon Derby.
When I asked Jamie why he fishes Walleye Tournament, he said he loves to compete and try to figure the fish out.
He went on to say he was always very competitive in sports throughout his life and fishing tournaments now fills that void.
With six wins, 21 – top 5 finishes, 11 – top 10 finishes, 16 – top 20 finishes and four Angler of the Year Titles in 67 Walleye Tournaments, it would be safe to say that Jamie is a little completive.
Being away from home when fishing tournaments, Jamie says his biggest supporters hands down are definitely his wife Carol-Anne, children Lindsay and Brett. Without their support it would not be possible.
With his success in tournaments Jamie was able to capture sponsorships from MirroCraft Boats, Yakima Bait Company, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Cannon, Evinrude, Precision Trolling Data, Off Shore Tackle, Simms Fishing, Northern Lights Ford, Buck’s Marina and Fin-tech in which he is very proud to be representing their products.
When asked what are some of greatest accomplishments Jamie replied, “Fishing has provided me with many great accomplishments and more importantly, opportunities.”
“I am a modest person and would like to focus on the opportunities fishing provided. Fishing success provided me with many fantastic sponsors and therefore the ability to have the best equipment available.”
“I have also had the opportunity to fish with outdoor writers, photographers and fishing TV shows.”
“All along the way, I have included the most important people in my life with these opportunities such as fishing tournaments with first my wife, son and daughter.”
“Great trips, to places we would have never fished and getting to represent Canada twice at Can-Am Walleye tournaments and all along the way my family was right there with me. This is my greatest accomplishment.”
I asked Jamie why agreed to be featured in my column. He said, “As a fisherman, I have gained so many wonderful life experiences. I feel it is important to share my fishing history, in hopes to inspire young anglers to begin a sport that I truly have loved from a very young age.”
Each year the tournaments see new anglers entering them so I asked Jamie if he had any tips he could offer them.
Jamie offers the following:
“When fishing tournaments, it is very important to try to get a couple of days pre-fishing right before the tournament. Then use your experiences, instincts and most importantly your electronics to find a pattern where the fish are holding and make a game plan. Have confidence in your techniques and ability. Also, don’t ever worry about where others are fishing or what they are doing. Your focus needs to always be on fishing the fish, not on other anglers.”
“Over time, experiences gained while participating in tournaments will be reflected in your results and in your overall angling ability. Keep coming back year after year to support the Tournaments, it is very important, and will provide you with accumulated knowledge of the fish and of the water-body you are fishing.”
When Jamie isn’t fishing Walleye Tournaments he says that living in Wawa presents him with the opportunity to fish for basically every fish species in this region of Northern Ontario including Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Whitefish, Bass, Perch, and even Smelt.
Since they are all fun to catch, they all are his favourite; however, if he needed to choose one experience specifically, river fishing for large brook trout and rainbow trout is hard to beat their beautiful colours that just adds to the experience.
There is nothing like being all alone (or with a family member or friend) on a scenic river catching a large brook trout, taking a few photos and then watching it swim away.
I can’t think of a better way to wrap this article than with Jamie’s reply to my question on what his memorial fishing experience was.
His reply was, “I don’t have a most memorial fishing experience.”
“My fishing experiences have been fantastic, to say the least, from winning tournaments, catching trophy fish, and simply great outings to amazing and beautiful places with the most important people in my life my family and friends.”
A little reminder to anglers that are contemplating on fishing the 17th Annual Mattagami First Nation Spring Walleye Tournament, June 4 and 5.
To date there are 53 boats entered so be sure to register now to ensure your spot before the field of 130 boats are filled! Visit www.mfnfishing.com for full details and registration.
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