The 2023 Canadian Tire Anglers Cup was a smaller affair than usual, with only 34 teams entered. The fishing, on the other hand was very good, and especially for Team #34.
Aaron Van Hoek and Josh Courtorielle finished with a total, two-day weight in walleye of 36.64 lbs, good for the top prize of $11,220. On top of that were prizes of $1,156 for the top Day 1 weight, $714 for the second-best weight on Day 2, plus $480 and $320 to Van Hoek for having the second and third-biggest fish on Day 2. Not bad for a weekend’s work!
Van Hoek and Courtorielle had finished seventh in the 2022 Anglers Cup.
Peter Caputo and Drew Chalifoux finished second, with 35.32 lbs. Their prize was $4,420.
Rounding out the top 3 was the team of Doug Hagen and Brian Jones, with 35.02 lbs. They won $3,400.
The tournament this year pretty successfully missed the bad weather that surrounded it. As noted, the fish were biting. The biggest one of the tournament was a 6.52 lb. whopper, by Caputo on Day 2, which earned him $800. Last year’s champ Billy Flemming won the biggest fish prize on Day 1, at 5.14 lbs. He and son Laken dropped to eighth overall this year.
According to the tournament organizers, the fish were all released in good shape.
“We are happy to report that there were zero sick or dead fish this year!” it says on the tournament’s website. “Hope to see you all again next year!”
Other news: the youth award went to Drew Teichroeb, 10, of LaCrete. Winning in the mixed category was the team of Scott Lawrence and Jenna Kubel.
by Staff
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