Rock boasts over twenty years of angling experience, including participation on the NEOBA circuit for 6 years. He was also a member of the inaugural organizing committee for the Kiwanis Walleye tournament in Timmins and has promoted for businesses at the local annual Sportsman Show.
I met Rock Bouchard back in 1993 after catching a nice fourteen and half inch perch. I heard about his taxidermy work so decided to bring him my perch to mount for me. When I walked into his shop I was taken aback by the quality of work he did. While talking with him the conversation naturally turned to fishing and his passion for it.
Back then, the tournament scene was just getting under way with new walleye tournaments starting to pop up.
I had the opportunity to learn more about Rock in 1995. We were part of an advisory team for the Timmins Kiwanis Committee’s live release tanks and walleye tournament rules. They were hosting a walleye tournament which was being held at the Cache Campground on beautiful Kenogamissi Lake.
With the start of a new family and job, Rock decided to close his taxidermy business; however, being a fierce competitor and with the support of his wife Josee, Rock continued to fish tournaments.
Over the years Rock fished with multiple tournament partners, including Craig Salmonson, Jim Patry, Tory Garneau, Camille Bois, and Paul Ethier.
Each of these partners helped him accomplish three 1st, three 2nd, three 3rds, three 5ths, two 6th, and numerous top 10 finishes in both walleye and bass tournaments.
Rock’s first win was at the Mattagami First Nation Walleye Tournament in 2000. In 2005 he won a bass tournament on Gowganda Lake held then by the North Eastern Ontario Bass Association (NEOBA). His most memorable win was with his two daughters, Amelie and Dominique, when they won the Lund Angler Young Angler tournament in 2012 on the Mattagami River in Timmins.
Rock Bouchard (left) and Cohen Courchesne with their 5th place finish at the Mattagami First Nation Walleye Tournament.
This season saw Rock step out of his comfort zone by fishing the Mattagami First Nation spring Walleye Tournament with a young angler named Cohen Courchesne.
Rock told me after the finial results were posted that Cohen played a big part in them being able to capture their fifth place finish for the tournament. According to Rock this was his highlight for the 2014 season and ranks as one of the most memorable tournaments he has fished.
Rock would like to thank his wife Josee for all her support over the years, Craig Salmonson and Jim Patry for sharing their knowledge of walleye and bass with him over the years.
He would also like to thank his sponsors Martin Fuels and Con’s Electric for their support in 2014. This season seen Rock joining the Wannabe Fisherman Pro Staff Team.
For rods and reels Rock uses Quantum and Okuma reels matched on St-Croix or Simax rods.
Now that Rock has more free time he has just informed me that although he did do some taxidermy work over the last 25 years that he has decided to open his taxidermy business again under a new name called River’s Edge Taxidermy which is located at 815 Airport Road in Timmins.
Having seen the quality of his work and his attention to detail, I can honestly say that this is great news for anglers and hunters to have their trophies mounted as his work is second to none.
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