Rainy river to be featured on episode of The Dime Store Fisherman

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Smile.... you are on the Dime Store Fisherman!
Last week Rainy River was the scene for the well known Canadian television show. Booked earlier in the year through the actions of Rainy River Economic Development Officer Andrew Hartnell, host Jim Hoey and cameraman D’Arcy Vandergucht, spent several days filming footage for an upcoming episode of Dime Store Fisherman.
They arrived in town on Sept. 23, 2010 just in time for the 12th Annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament. Hoey was really impressed with the RRWT. “What struck me the most about this tournament is that it is very intimate in nature. 80% of the entrants are local!”
He also had nothing but praise for the event itself. “The level of organization is outstanding. In my opinion it is one of the best tournaments I have been to!”
Hoey and Vandergucht said they were also impressed with the walleye they saw. “We filmed some big fish. Very impressive!”
After the tournament was over they were taken fishing by local anglers Dan and Bryce Godin. They spent time on both the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. And even though the bite was tough during the tournament, Hoey said, “We caught all kinds of fish. You have such a diverse fishery here from smallies to muskies and of course walleye!”
Hoey said that he has taped shows on Lake of the Woods in past years but never on the south part of the lake or on the Rainy River. He said it was a wonderful experience.
In addition to spending time with the fishing side of things, Dime Store also produces a video on the community which the community can use for promotional activities in the future. “I’d say we go 50/50 in fishing and community,” said Hoey.
They spoke with Gill Stamler to get a take on the town’s history, visited the town hall as well as the Railway Museum.
Hoey said it was always a life-long dream of his to fish and to be on t.v. So when he had the opportunity to do both he was ecstatic. He did say that at first he had to adapt to the process of fishing and film. “He (cameraman) kept saying, ‘Cut. Cut. Cut.’ and I said ‘hey I am trying to fish here.’” Now he is used to the process and rarely fishes without a camera on.
Hoey had nothing but praise for Rainy River and especially the way Hartnell took care of them. “This man should be mayor of Rainy River! “I have been to 166 unique locations in Canada and I have never met someone as heart and soul as Andrew Hartnell!”
There was no word when the episode on Rainy River will air. Once the Record knows it will let its readers know.