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.
Related Article: World Record Brook Trout Caught on Nipigon River
The world record brook trout caught by Dr. J.W. Cook. Photo courtesy of the Nipigon Historical Museum.
