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Press Release
June 30, 2003

Popular Fishing Show Profiles the Ottawa River

The Ottawa Valley was fortunate to have the crew from The Fish N'Canada Show filming on the Ottawa River the week of June 16th. They were shooting a 2004 segment on Catfishing including Arnprior’s annual Catfest held June 19th and 20th and a segment on Walleye fishing. Local guide, Gary Mantle was with the crew throughout the shoot.

This show is broadcast on CBC, CTV, Global and several cable networks. The show blankets all regions of Canada via national cable and major broadcast systems up to seven days a week.

Judy Hugli, Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) Tourism Marketing Coordinator said, "Host Peter Bowman was very pleased with the shoot and looks forward to shooting future shows here." The crew and guide were very successful in catching several fish. Peter Bowman stated, "there are so many catfish in the Ottawa River that it is scary." He said if you can get your line to the bottom of the river, you will be guaranteed to catch a catfish.

How many catfish in the Ottawa River? In 1998, the MNR conducted a study that showed there were over 240,000 catfish. For the good of the overall fishery, this species is exempt from season and size.

Staff of the OVTA arranged complimentary hotel rooms for the crew at the Quality Inn in Arnprior. The Quality Inn and the OVTA will both receive credit on the show. The shows will be broadcast starting in February. The promotional value of the shows are over $150,000 and there was no cost incurred by the OVTA. “This type of promotion is wonderful for the area. It will increase the awareness of Renfrew County as a fishing destination and bring more visitors to the Valley,” states Marilyn Alexander, President of the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association.

(For more information and/or to have a complimentary fishing picture emailed, please contact Judy Hugli, Tourism Marketing Coordinator, OVTA, 732-4364.)

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