Over the years of fishing tournaments and the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail (NOWT), I have met many talented anglers. Some have even given their time to help grow the NOWT over the years.

One such angler has spent many years sitting on the NOWT Board and being a part of the Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament committee.

It is anglers such as him that has allowed us, seasoned and new anglers, a place not only to compete in, but also help us grow as Walleye anglers and promote the sport of fish we all love.

I am happy to introduce this week’s angler, Dean Bliss.

Q) Where were you born?

A) I was born in Kapuskasing in 1969, the fourth boy of eventually five kids. I was raised, schooled, and now still work and live here.

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

A) After my father’s early passing in 1970, my three older brothers played a huge part in getting me started in all outdoor activities including hunting, trapping, and of course fishing, by always including me and teaching me to respect and love the sport.

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

A) When I was young I always targeted walleye, and would also catch pike and perch doing so whether it be from a canoe, small boat or ice fishing local lakes. I also occasionally would try my luck for speckled trout.

Q) What age did you start fishing?

A) I caught my first walleye while casting a Mepps Back Fury from my uncle’s dock on Remi Lake at the age of 10, and with that 12″ walleye my passion for fishing began.

Q) How did you get into Walleye Tournament Fishing and why?

A) I started tournament fishing in 1996 and wanted to see how I would compare against other more experienced (“Pro”) fishermen. It all began after that weekend, not happy with my 11th place finish, I knew I had some work to do to improve and I became ‘hooked’ instantly and immediately began planning for the next one on the drive home.

Q) What was your most memorable fishing experience and why?

A) My most memorable fishing experience ever was winning my first tournament and being included among the names of the exclusive club of winners. To have achieved this against the best anglers I know is something to be proud of and should be for anyone.

Q) List any anglers that helped you learn more about fishing over the years?

A) Over the years I’ve met so many new people along the trail, who eventually became good friends and I’ve been lucky enough to have learned a lot from them and great anglers such as my long time co-angler Russ Smith. We have spent many hours together in and out of a boat and in doing so, I have learnt to never give up and what it takes to win. Other anglers such as Cory, Dan, Keith, Rob, Luc, Shawn, Chad, Charlie just to name a few, have in some way taught me something about fishing. That is one of the great things about the sport

Q) List sponsors and tournament finishes?

A) I have been fortunate to have had Carey Oreskovich from Big “O” Contrusction support us over the years which allowed me to achieve six top 5 finishes, 14 top 10 finishes, 3 wins and two top 3, two top 5 and six top 10 in the AOY standings.

Q) Biggest fishing supports over the years. example, wife, family and friend(s)?

A) My wife Angele and the four kids have been my strongest supporters over the years and without them I could not have achieved the success I have. From time spent away from the house, using up vacation time, missed school events, dragging them out pre-fishing, I thank them for this. I also have many friends and family members that know my passion for the sport and for tournaments and never stop following my finishes, whether good or bad.

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

A) Walleye is by far my favourite species of fish to go after. They are such a challenge to figure out with all the variables that go along with rivers and lakes , weather and all the different techniques that can be used to catch them.

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

A) My favourite technique for catching walleye is no big secret to those who me. Jigging. I first learnt jigging at an early age and with all the colours, sizes, shapes, makes and styles of presentations, tipped with a minnow or leech, it is my go-to for all tournaments.

Q) Why do you fish walleye tournaments?

A) I fish walleye tournaments for the challenge, to push myself to do better, to achieve goals, to learn, to meet people with the same passion, to help other anglers achieve their goals, to promote fishing to the younger anglers, to have fun and enjoy time spent on the water.

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

A) After having been asked a few times over the years to have my bio done, I finally agreed after talking to Dave and realizing how long we have been doing tournaments, that it would be nice to have all of us “senior” guys do our profiles with the hope of showing the new up and coming anglers what fishing and the tournaments mean to us after all this years.

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

A) The best advice I give to new anglers who ask is, never give up, you are never out of the game, don’t think I’m better then you, when you make a game plan don’t change it, there are only two people in one boat to blame, keep notes of each tournament and set realistic goals. So, for anyone looking at trying any one of the NOWT events I tell them go for it, to have fun and talk to as many of the anglers you can, and be prepared to be excited, frustrated, happy but mostly humbled and to be instantly addicted to it.

Q) What would be some of your greatest accomplishes over the years of fishing.

A) One of my greatest fishing accomplishments over the years of has been to finally win an NOWT event. Most people don’t know how hard it is to win with all the great talent on the trail. The most memorable was Russ and I winning back-to-back at the same event two years in a row and is something I will never forget. Another accomplishment is being able to share my knowledge with other anglers and watching them to do well.

I would like to take a moment to thank Dean for taking the time to share his journey with us and his dedication over the years to help grow the NOWT.

Remember if not for people like Dean, tournament organizers and the many volunteers that give up their free time for us walleye anglers, we would have nowhere to go and build memories, make new friends, share our passion with others and compete.