On Saturday, October 11th, 2003, the Bassmania Tournament Trail will host the annual Rick White Memorial Bass Tournament on Lake Simcoe. The site will be DC Marina in Keswick. Blast-off will be at 7am and entry fees will be $200 per team. Registration will take place that morning at the marina beginning at 5:30 am. The tournament is open to all anglers with tournament ready boats and standard Bassmania rules will apply. Net proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Cancer Research.

Back by Popular Demand: For many avid late-season bass anglers, the Rick White has become a tradition they would not want to miss. Although this time of year can range from beautiful, calm, pleasant weather, to almost bitterly cold, rough and miserable conditions, there is no doubt that during its 7 year history, the fishing has almost always been spectacular. Occasionally, the largemouth bass reign supreme, with big bags of eye-popping largies dominating the weigh-in line. More frequently however, spectators are apt to witness some of the heaviest bags of smallmouth bass found anywhere on the planet! 

Currently, the single heaviest smallmouth ever weighed in at this event was a mammoth 6.85 pounder caught by Bradford angler Wil Wegman in 1999. “Bigger bass have been caught in Simcoe waters recently … and I have a feeling that this year we might just see a seven pound smallmouth weighed in”, predicted Wegman. Simcoe's legendary smallmouth gorge themselves before the long, cold winter and those skilful anglers who have figured out where to find them and how to catch them, report there are no better trophy smallmouth bass waters to be found anywhere. Period! “This is one time of year you can realistically expect to see the winners come close to weighing in a five pound average …. And you just never know for sure who it will be. That's one reason you see so many of the same anglers fish this event year after year… each of them hoping that this year “it's their turn”. Another is that competitors appreciate the cause and are happy to support this type of event”, explained Bassmania president Andy Pallotta.

For those unfamiliar with the namesake of this tournament, Rick White was a highly respected Lake Simcoe angler who died of cancer at a young age. The White Family has expressed their feelings about this tournament and they would like to provide you with some insight regarding the Rick White Memorial Bass Tournament, held annually on Lake Simcoe out of DC Marine in Keswick, Ontario.

“The idea came to Todd Million (Rick's school friend and fishing buddy) a few years ago when Todd decided he wanted to do something special in memory of Rick. Anyone who knew Rick, can tell you that nothing on earth was more important in his eyes than fishing … except, of course for his wife Shelley and his son Brandon. 
Todd knew, as the rest of us did, that Rick was one of the friendliest, kindest people you could ever meet and he is remembered as a very special person who loved everything and everyone. We are very proud to know that Todd thought my brother was such a special friend that he would organize such an event in order that Rick's life would be remembered. Thank you Todd from the bottom of our hearts. 

My family could not thank enough all the people involved in this tournament. It is a special day for us to see the participants remember and celebrate Rick's life. Our thanks also go to the Bassmania Tournament Trail for co-ordinating this event and DC Marine for hosting it. We are very appreciative of all your efforts – we know it is a lot of work, but what better way to raise money for cancer research than A GREAT DAY OF FISHING. Lastly, our thanks to all of you who support and participate in the event. We hope you have a successful and fun day out on the water.
Rick, we hope there is a big lake and a fishing rod in heaven.
Love,
Your Family”.
Writer: Anna Wood and the White Family
 

Many anglers have devoted their lives to promote the great sport of fishing only to be taken from this world before their time. We would like to pay a small public tribute to their lives and therefore will offer a moments silence in their memory at the upcoming Rick White Memorial Tournament. Therefore, just before the morning blast-off, all anglers will be asked to stand while they pay their respects for the following great Canadian anglers who made such a difference:: Rick White, Bill Baker, Todd Gover, John McGuire, Gord Wilton, Hank Gibson, Kevin Jennings, John Redding, Fred Pepper, Peter Janzen and Rick Amsbury.

(If anyone would like to add a name of an angler who they feel also deserves to be on this list, please contact Bassmania before the event and we will be happy to add it.) 

For more information please contact Bassmania at: pallottv@gowlings.com or call: 905-640-2277
Or visit their website at: www.bassmania.com