Angler’s Epic Brook Trout Photo Wins October Contest

12 Months of Master Angler October Winner

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

Cool crisp mornings and warm sunny afternoons typify October days in Manitoba. It was on one of these such days that avid angler Nolan Plew headed out in search of a Master Angler brook trout. West Blue Lake in the Parkland Region was the destination that he and fishing partner Petro decided to tackle on this trip.

Favourite Lake

“If I had to choose one lake in Manitoba, it would be Twin Lakes for tiger trout. Petro and I have plans for a trip there next week actually.” Nolan travels all across the province targeting various species of sport fish. “I was just recently at Lyons Lake out east where I got a nice brown. Petro got a nice lake trout up at Clearwater on a past trip.”

Diamond Status

Nolan is a well-accomplished multi-species angler having participated in the Master Angler Program since he was a young lad. In that time, he has achieved Diamond level status meaning he has successfully caught and submitted Master Angler catches in at least 20 different species categories. “I just got to Diamond last month actually. It was with a goldeye on the fly of all species,” he laughed. When asked if he had plans to catch all 30 eligible species in Manitoba, “I will definitely try! I’m working on trip plans to catch arctic grayling in the near future so that’s one species closer if it happens.”

Specialist Badges

Incredibly, for 13 of those 20 eligible species, Nolan has also achieved the Specialist Badge where he has recorded five or more qualifying submissions in each category! “I’m two Masters away from completing my Walleye specialist. I really tried to get it done on the Red this fall. I’m thinking a trip to Wekusko Falls Lodge or somewhere like that where I haven’t been to yet to complete it would make it more special.” Although he added laughing, “If the fifth one is a 30” it doesn’t matter where I catch it.”

In his spare time

When he isn’t fishing - which isn’t that often - Nolan works for his father or is out in the field hunting. The Winnipeg resident has also recently taken up photography and has been involved with several events in the local angling community in this capacity, “I’m not a professional by any means but this is a hobby that I want to learn more about and hopefully do way more of in the future.”

Sharing the prize

When asked what he has planned for the gift certificate, Nolan didn’t hesitate at all to say that he will be splitting it with his angling partner Petro. “We were sight fishing for the brook trout that day enticing them with artificial eggs. He spotted a big one but let me have first shot at it. After a few tries with what we were using, I casted a little spoon to it and that’s what it decided to attack. He took a great photo too so yeah, no problem at all sharing it with him.”

To learn more about fishing for brook trout in Manitoba, visit our Brook Trout page.

For more information about the Master Angler Program, visit anglers.travelmanitoba.com

*Protect Manitoba’s water and resources. Stop aquatic invasive species. For more information on how to do your part visit the Sustainable Development AIS page.