Bait and tackle shop hosts Ottawa River Catfish Classic from July 24-31
Posted Jul 22, 2010 By Theresa Fritz
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EMC News - Looking to get caught up in some good fishing this summer? If so, look to Towey's for everything you need to help you reel in the big one.
Theresa Fritz, Arnprior EMC
Kaelea Runtz poses with some of the rods and reels available at Towey's on Madawaska Street in Arnprior. The business set up shop in town in June, after being on the River Road since 2006. Towey's is also hosting the Ottawa River Catfish Classic July 24-31.
The business was established in 2006 by Terry and Kaelea Runtz and had been located on the shores of the Ottawa River on Towey's Bay, until recently. In June, the business relocated to 54 Madawaska St. in Arnprior.
"We needed to expand. We needed more space and I wanted to be near more traffic," explained Kaelae, who admitted they had outgrown their River Road location. "His (Terry's) goal was always to expand into Arnprior."
The business was named after Terry's grandparents - Irene and Bob Towey - and Kaelea said her husband's love of the sport came from years of fishing on Towey's Bay with his grandfather.
Towey's, with the business slogan of 'Let Us Reel You In', offers bait and tackle including minnows of all sizes, leeches (seasonal) and worms. The store also carries a variety of rods, reels and products including Sierra Designs, Mustad, Rapala, Bio-Bait and more.
"There aren't many places you can walk out of your house and fish. Arnprior is one of them," Kaelea stated. "There are (bait and tackle) shops in Galetta and Renfrew but nothing in between...we are located between both launches."
She admitted a "huge amount of our business" is special orders, adding the company they deal with has a short turnaround time which customers like and the fact there are no minimum orders required.
"Live bait is a huge deal," Kaelea noted. "We do want to expand and have more outdoor apparel."
CATFISH CLASSIC BACK
Along with have a store designed to the needs of novice and more experienced anglers, Towey's has organized the Ottawa River Catfish Classic from July 24-31.
Kaelea said her husband used to take part in Arnprior's now long discontinued 'Catfest' and many people were interested in seeing that kind of event resurrected.
"Let's bring it back," we thought.
This is a live release derby with a maximum of 12 catfish per day as per Ministry of Natural Resources regulation.
"You have eight days to fish so if it's bad weather, you don't have to be out if you don't want to be," Kaelea noted.
Fishing takes place from the Cheneaux Dam in Portage to Fitzroy Harbour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Weigh-in stations will be located at the Horton Boat Launch and Braeside Boat Launch. On July 31, the final day of the derby, the final weigh-in will be at 4 p.m. at those locations.
"The week of the derby The Prior Sports Bar and Restaurant will offer 20 per cent (off) to patrons who present their derby ticket but that is not valid for the daily special," Kaelea explained.
As well, The Prior is further participating in the Catfish Classic as being the site for the prize days at 6 p.m. July 31. Tickets for the derby are $20 for adults (18 years and over) and $10 for juniors (17 years and under).
The grand prize is a fisherman's dream - a 16-foot wide Legend boat, 9.9 four-stroke Mercury Outboard and trailer.
First prize for adults is $1,000, second prize is $500 and third prize is a Minn Kota trolling motor. Prizes for the junior winners are still being determined.
Kaelea said the best part of the Catfish Classic is everyone can take part and they don't have to have a boat to participate.
Tickets for the derby can be purchased at Towey's at 54 Madawaska St. in Arnprior, Beans Service Station in Shawville, Que., Denny's Bait in Pembroke, Baitcasters in Carleton Place, Jocko's Beach Resort on Calabogie Road and Gourley's Variety in Renfrew.
For Ottawa River Catfish Classic rules and regulations, please visit www.toweysbaytandtackle.com.
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