Sunday, February 16th, 2025

Photo: Tim Young (from left), and Ed Stephens fishing with Bob Izumi of The Real Fishing Show with guide Grant Neilson.

“Chance of a lifetime.”

That’s what local outdoorsman and successful businessman Tim Young told his father when he learned that he was invited on a fishing trip with Bob Izumi of The Real Fishing Show.

Young received the invite from his brother-in-law Ed Stephens, who won the fishing trip from Toro; his Highland Fuels company acts as a Toro dealership among other things.

Initially when Stephens received the call to learn he won the prize he “thought it was one of those win-a-cruise phone calls.” The Toro contact had to send him an e-mail and phone a second time before he realized he’d won.

He says, “I didn’t think it was real.”

The one condition to receive the prize was that the dealer principle had to go on the trip with the option of inviting a guest. Stephens is not a fisherman but he knows a good deal when he sees one. He knew Young liked to fish and hunt and thought he was a good choice to go along.

“It’s one thing to go to a fishing lodge but another thing to be there with Izumi,” says Young.

A few weeks ago, the two men were met at Pearson International Airport by Wayne Izumi and flew to Winnipeg before being bussed 150 km east to the northwestern Ontario village of Minaki. Two kilometres away, on an island in the Winnipeg River they reached their destination, Reid’s Birch Island Resort. The lodge itself is an elegant century-old building that for most of its life served as a private and corporate retreat for the Timothy Eaton family.

Stephens and Young were given the special treatment. Everything was supplied for them. They ate the food provided by an executive chef, fished with the best gear, had a guide, and enjoyed the experience of fishing with Bob and Wayne Izumi.

In their first 30 minutes on the river, Young hooked onto a 40-inch Northern Pike. Young thought, “what am I in for” after catching that fish. Almost everyday they each caught about 20 Pike and Walleye, although Bob Izumi caught about a 5-to-1 ratio to them.

He was amazing to watch, says Young. He could put the line exactly where he wanted it.

Wayne and Bob Izumi are more than just fishermen. They are also extremely successful businessmen. They own several Tim Hortons franchises, involved in agricultural businesses, invested in Elliot Lake condominiums and operate their fishing enterprises. Bob spent 310 days on the road alone last year.

Both men enjoyed their time with the Izumis who they say are humble people and a lot of fun to be with.

Although Young exclaims that the whole thing was “surreal”.

Turns out Young also brought home some money. Before they started their three days of fishing, a $20 wager was placed among the 14 men on the trip with the pot being split for the one who caught the biggest Walleye and biggest Pike. Young took the honours for his 26-inch Walleye and the other Toro dealership winner caught the largest Pike at 42 inches.

Stephens says he had the biggest Walleye with his 21.5-inch catch but his brother-in-law caught one bigger with about two hours to go on their last day of fishing. Each day they fished from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a two-hour shore lunch.

“I was the virgin fisherman,” says Stephens. “They were giving me a hard time the last day because I didn’t want to go to shore for lunch. I was having such a good time.”

The Izumis were filming on this trip. There’s a good chance you will be able to see Young and his catch on one of The Real Fishing Show airings in 2016. Stephens doesn’t think he’ll be on but who knows.

He’s not known as ‘Lucky Eddie’ for nothing.

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