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Doug Hodgins has done his fair share of fishing over the years.
He won first place and took home $13,000 in the 2018 Saskatchewan Landing Walleye Tournament, and he placed second in the Riverhurst Walleye Classic last month, but a recent trip blew his previous achievements out of the water.
“I’ve done a lot of fishing before, but nothing to this caliber,” Hodgins said.
What started out as a group fishing trip celebrating his 60th birthday turned into an unforgettable experience for Hodgins and his friends.
On June 25, the retired canary seed farmer from Kyle headed out on Athapapuskow Lake in Manitoba with three of his friends and a guide at around 9 a.m.
“It was unreal,” said 2018 Sask. Landing Walleye tournament winner Doug Hodgins about his 60th birthday fishing trip. (Submitted)
By the time they got off the water at 7 p.m. two of the fishermen had thrown back more than 30 northern pike which exceeded Manitoba’s keeping limit of 29.5 inches.
“A guide took us into this spot and got the bait on. We couldn’t keep them off there. It was unreal,” said Hodgins.
Most of the northern pike they caught ranged from 33 to 38 inches, he said, with three of the fish measuring between 41.5 and 43 inches.
The hook that Doug Hodgins caught a 42.5-inch northern pike on his 60th birthday fishing trip in Northern Manitoba. (Submitted)
“I’ve had some big pike ice fishing down here in Sask. Landing, but nothing, nothing as big as what these were,” said Hodgins. “It was a perfect day for fishing pike. That’s kind of what they like; rougher water in cloudy weather.”
Hodgins’ son-in-law purchased the an all-inclusive trip to Bakers Narrows Lodge & Conference Center for Hodgins’ 60th birthday. He invited his brother-in-law, son-in-law and a long-time friend. He said the group was split into two boats, trolling back and forth roughly 100 feet behind each other.
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Hodgins is no stranger to dropping a line in the water.
“Pretty much all my life lately,” he said. “My dad used to take me when I was a little kid, but the last 20 years quite regular. Go into the odd walleye tournaments around.”
Pictured from left to right: Doug Hodgins, Sask Landing Walleye Committee Chair Colby Schneider, Cory Hodgins and first place plaque sponsor Mike Kronberger of Kyle Ag and Auto Supply. (Kyle & District Recreation/Facebook)
He’s currently waiting to receive the Manitoba Master’s Anglers Award from the oldest program in North America. Hodgins also hopes to put a line or two in the water next weekend during the province’s free fishing event.