CSFL to Run FLW Canada Tournaments in 2018

CSFL & FLW join forces in 2018
By Luigi De Rose

On Friday, October 20, 2017, FLW formally announced that CSFL will be taking over FLW Canada tournaments. The FLW Canada Cup will be held on August 16-18, 2018 on Bay of Quinte (bay only). The full schedule and event locations have yet to be released.  All FLW Canada tournaments will be open to all anglers and no FLW Canada membership is not required.

Here is the official press release:

FLW has reached an exclusive licensing agreement with the Canadian Pro Bass Tour to assume operation of FLW Canada bass tournaments. The agreement was signed by FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel and Andrew Pallotta, president of the Canadian Pro Bass Tour.
“Canadian bass anglers are among the best in the world, and they deserve world-class events in which to showcase their talent,” Fennel says. “We are excited to announce Andrew Pallotta as our new partner in Canada. We are confident that his extensive background in tournaments and sport shows will further elevate the status of FLW Canada tournaments and provide a promotional platform befitting such a talented group of anglers.”

FLW Canada will continue to advance two pros and two co-anglers to the Costa FLW Series Championship each year, where they will compete against the full field and other International Division anglers from China, Korea, Mexico and South Africa. The highest finisher in the International Division will advance to the Forrest Wood Cup.

2017 CSFL Canadian Open Lake Simcoe Day 1: Cal Climpson Leads with 26-35lbs!

Matt Pezzetta lands monster 7.15lb smallmouth!
By Luigi De Rose

Mike's 7.15 and 6.2 lb smallmouth.
(Photo: Matt Pezzetta)

The 3 day Canadian Open had a wonderful start on Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. Under calm skies, warm temps and light winds the pro angler and their co-angler were able to target the giant smallmouth that call this fishery home. Day 1 leader, Cal Climpson is just ahead of Chris Johnston and older brother Cory. These three young anglers represent a second generation of top Canadian anglers battling for tournament glory.

COMPETITIVE SPORT FISHING LEAGUE
LAKE SIMCOE CANADIAN OPEN OF FISHING
LAKE SIMCOE, CENTENNIAL PARK, ORILLIA
Pos.	Angler	Day 1
P01	Cal Climpson	26.35
P02	Chris Johnston	25.75
P03	Cory Johnston	25.15
P04	Stephen Hagerty	24.7
P05	Matt Pezzetta	23.8
P06	Bob Formosa	23.45
P07	Mike Loughlin	23.15
P08	Bob Izumi	22.95
P09	Franklin Janzen	22
P10	Darren Izumi	21.45

More Baskets Found at CSFL Scugog Tournament!

Cheaters, Vandals or Haters?

By Luigi De Rose

Once again the team tournament format gets a nice black eye. Similar to the two hidden baskets found at the 2015 TOP BASS Classic, a similar cage was discovered in the Scugog River outside of Lindsay, Ontario, Canada this past weekend. Cages are used to store bass caught outside of the official tournament day then the fish are collected during the tournament to ensure a win. Cheating is always a concern anytime money is involved and competitive fishing is no different. This is a wake up call that the bass fishing community must police itself and utilize the laws of the tournament organizations and province fully. Only when these laws are enforced and punishment fits the crime will the desire to cheat dissolve. The CSFL organization seems to have handled this problem well. 

Here's the official CSFL statement regarding this situation. I advise you to read the entire document.

Stouffville, Ontario | Wednesday, August 10, 2016: The Competitive Sport Fishing League announced today a homemade device for holding fish was located in the Scugog River during the Lake Scugog, BM Central Tour event this past weekend.

It was brought to the attention of the organization by an event competitor that they came across an empty homemade device for holding fish, similar to the ones found in other events.

As the exact location cannot be disclosed at this time, as it is part of an ongoing investigation, what can be shared is that the basket was found in an obvious area on the main river in a very sparse lily padded location and is believed to have been meant to be found.

Erik Luzak and Tom Hardy Win the 2015 CSFL Classic XIX with 50 Pounds!

The winning catch. (Photo: Erik Luzak)

Congrats to Erik Luzak and Tom Hardy for winning back to back CSFL Classics. They did it in grand style with a last day push that netted them 18.25 lbs that vaulted them into the winner's circle with a three day total of 50.9lbs!

Position	Angler	Co-Angler	Regional	Classic D1	Classic D2	Total Weight
1	Erik Luzak	Tom Hardy	14.35	18.3	18.25	50.9
2	TJ Lacey	Travis Vivian	18.5	14.9	15.75	49.15
3	Garry Mansholt	Pat Wong	10.25	15.95	20.6	46.8
4	Gary Miller		15.05	11.55	19	45.6
5	Dan Miguel	Bryan Low	16.75	12.8	13.85	43.4
6	Kirk Sullivan	Kevin Sullivan	14.7	15.2	13.1	43
7	Cory Johnston	Chris Johnston	16.8	15	9.75	41.55
8	Greg Roth	Bob Switzer	12.55	15.75	12.65	40.95
9	Chris Little	Cam Neville	10.35	18.55	11.85	40.75
10	Peter Marrocco	Pat Marrocco	13	13.95	12.75	39.7

See below for the full standings.