Message from the Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open Team:

Hello Anglers,

We are so happy to have so many of you back with us for the 2022 CTMBO! With the return of our American angler friends, 95 teams will compete for a total of over $40,000 (money and prizes). As previously announced at the 2021 tournament, we are very busy working on transitioning the Bass Committee Team. We are very happy to announce that Christie (Smith) will take on a Co-Chair position with Carol Ann and Tom. They will be supported by all the Bass Tournament Team members and “Sea of Red” volunteers. Our goal as always is to plan for and host a class event this year!

We wanted to take this opportunity to review the 2022 tournament format. While COVID-19 continues to mutate and create unknown consequences, our committee is planning for a full return to expectations of previous events.

Sponsors: There have been no changes to our compliment of sponsors. Our communications with our existing sponsors is a yearlong process and we continually look for new interest in our tournament as well. We will pass along sponsor news as it happens.

Angler Night: We look forward to hosting our popular Angler’s Night this year. This is an opportunity for us to acknowledge and show support for our sponsors, our thanks to our anglers and their immediate family, volunteers, media outlets, local politicians and committee members. We are sending a big shout out to our Dinner Committee that prepares the meal for 400 individuals!

Live Coverage: We expect to return to a large turnout of spectators for our weigh-ins and awards complete with a spectator give away. Arrangements have been made to continue with the partnership for live coverage through social media of the weigh-ins and awards. Family and friends who cannot attend the event will be able to watch from the comfort of home. The weigh in will be held back at the Mitchell’s Bay Marina.

Live Release Boat: The Live Release Boat and crew are booked and we look forward to working with them again this year.

Children’s Event: The Children’s Event is back on the agenda. 2022. Children from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent “ALL for Kids Program” will be treated to a morning of fishing, a barbecue lunch for them and their parents, a nature interpretive hike through a wet land restoration project that proceeds from this tournament went to support. As per previous year’s, the program culminates with a trip to the weigh-in stage where the children receive fishing rods, reels, gear, tackle box and sport equipment. The testimonials from the parents for this program have touched our hearts and been one of our most gratifying experiences. These children come from backgrounds that rarely give them opportunity to fish or own their own equipment to do so.

The 2021 tournament set new challenges and records for our books and we look forward to seeing you all once again at the Check-in, Registration Meeting and Angler Dinner on July 7th, 2022!

Below is a small slide show highlighting the 2021 winners of the tournament.

A few years ago we made this movie to show off our tournament and Mitchell’s Bay, enjoy.

Previous winners of the Canadian Tire Mitchell’s Bay Open.