12 Months of Master Angler - January Contest Winner

Congratulations to Stewart Boyd! His Master Angler whitefish action photo was selected as the winner of the January edition of the 12 Months of Master Angler photo contest.

He has won a $1000 gift card to Cabela’s along with a pile of awesome HuntFishMB gear.

Stewart caught this gorgeous 22.25” lake whitefish through the ice on Clear Lake, “We were sight fishing at the time and could watch the fish come in. The nice part of sight fishing is you know how big the fish is before it hits so it puts a bit of pressure on knowing that it’s very close to MA size when you set the hook.” The lure that got this trophy fish to bite was a jigging spoon Stewart shared. Clear Lake is located in Riding Mountain National Park which has its own angling regulations such as no lead tackle and only one line per angler. See Parks Canada RMNP for more information.

This Master Angler catch was Stewart’s tenth qualifying entry and sixth different eligible species. He caught two Master Angler brown trout earlier this ice season on Tokaryk Lake which were his fifth species earning him his Silver Badge of Achievement. “I’ve been participating in the MA Program for two years or so. My first MA catch was a beautiful greenback walleye that was the first fish on my first trip to Lake Winnipeg so that was pretty cool.” Stewart added that he has goals of catching other eligible species as well as achieving some species specialist badges down the road.

“I try to fish as often as possible but realistically I’m a weekend warrior. I try to get out once a week but when the farm is busy, I might go a month without getting on the water.” A full time Regional Grow Team Advisor for FCL, Stewart also helps operate his family’s farm near Minnedosa in the province’s Western Region. “My favourite lakes to fish are Clear Lake, Minnedosa Lake, the Whitemud River, and Clearwater Lake. My favourite species to target would have to be lake trout.”

Newly married only a few weeks ago to his now wife Jessica Brady, Stewart intends to purchase more fishing gear for them both with his Cabela’s gift card. Jessica herself has two Master Angler fish to her credit in the program. “I think the whole program is awesome and appreciate you guys coordinating it all. It provides a lot of information to people new to fishing as well as seasoned anglers.”

Be sure to enter your February qualifying Master Angler catches with action photo to anglers.travelmanitoba.com for your chance to win. Click the link for more information and rules about the 12 Months of Master Angler photo contest.