The annual Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open bass fishing tournament is back on Lake St. Clair in Chatham Friday and Saturday with a record number of registered anglers participating.
Organizers said 95 boats with 190 anglers will take part in the two-day event.
“It’s just grown in popularity,” said tournament co-chair Tom Beaton. “We don’t even promote the tournament any longer looking for new anglers because we have a waiting list and we can only logistically handle so many anglers.”
Beaton recalled humble beginnings for the first few years of the event a decade ago.
“The first two three years I kind of struggled with 20 boats,” said Beaton. “And we have had to ask ourselves, is this really worth it? Because it’s a lot of work. But now we’re having to control how many boats we have.”
Fifty volunteers from the area are helping put the annual tournament which includes on of Canada’s most recognized anglers, Bob Izumi.
“All the…