Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the World Record Brook Trout

By Erin Rody Erin Rody is a staff writer for Sunset Country.

August 4, 2015

The Nipigon River Brook Trout Festival is celebrating the world record brook trout caught in the Nipigon River 100 years ago!

Explore Nipigon this summer and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world record brook trout (14.5 lbs, 31.5 inches) caught on the Nipigon River by Dr, J.W. Cook on July 21st, 1915. The Nipigon River Brook Trout Festival is July 17-19, 2015. The festival has something for everyone. From live entertainment to children activities to guided hiking tours to almost anything you can imagine! Don't miss special fishing tip seminars by CBC personality/outdoor writer Gord Ellis and TV personality/outdoor writer Rebekka Redd.

Special guest speaker, Gord Ellis

Here's a list of the many things to do at the Nipigon River Brook Trout Festival

Fishing Events

CBC personality/outdoor writer Gord Ellis will teach you how to fish for brook trout like a pro
TV personality/outdoor writer Rebekka Redd can teach you the proper way catch and release
Learn to make the original "muddler" lure with Dan Gapen
Learn to tie flies with Ray Dupuis Sr.
Children will learn the wonders of fishing as well as some fishing advice from Bobber Anne
Tell your fishing stories at the Fishing Tales Open Mic
Visit the Nipigon Historical Museum to see the century old rod and reel that caught that famous fish and experience the new brook trout exhibit. Thunder Bay dentist and collector Jim Donaldson will be showcasing Dr. Cook's fly rod in the museum over the weekend.
Bring your fishing gear and try your luck off the docks or at the black bridge! Imagine if you were the one to break the record!

Children's Activities

Bouncy castles for the children on Saturday and Sunday
Fun family races
A live performance by Rodney Brown
Learn to fish with Bobber Anne
Learn the importance of catch and release with Rebekka Redd
Face painting, Parks Canada Fishing Pond, airbrush tattoos

Natural Adventure

Take an aerial tour up river to Rabbit Rapids, where the famous fish was caught ($25 per person)
Experience the Nipigon waterfront in a kayak for two
Explore the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area on a boat tour down to the Native rock pictographs

Live Entertainment

Friday - Listen to the sounds of reggae band Rocksteady while you relax at the beer gardens
Saturday - Check out country rockers Southern Comfort
Learn about Falcons at the Skyline Falconry demos
Hip Hop, World Dance, and Zumba Demos

See the actual rod that Dr Cook used to catch at the Nipigon Historical Museum

Festival Wristband is $10 per person, and is good for the whole weekend. Children 4 and under are FREE. The entrance fee includes all activities EXCEPT Wilderness North Aerial Tours. You must have a wristband to purchase an aerial tour ticket.

Nipigon is only 1 hour east of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Whether you go for the day or send the whole weekend there, it sounds like a great time.

For updates and photos, visit Facebook or visit www.nipigon.net for more information. Programs should be available soon.

Celebrate the 100 year old world record brook trout catch

The world record brook trout caught by Dr. J.W. Cook. Photo courtesy of the Nipigon Historical Museum.

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About Erin Rody

I grew up on Black Sturgeon Lake in Northwestern Ontario. I am a staff writer for the Sunset Country Travel Association. Through my articles I hope to entice you to visit the wonderful region I call home. We are all about outdoor adventure; with 70,000 lakes and rivers and a whole lot of forests how can we not be? Whether you like to fish, hunt, canoe, kayak, boat or go camping, Sunset Country has something for you. Enjoy!