Session serve up expert advice on bass fishing

Bass fishing in Ontario does not commence until the fourth Saturday in June.
But that does not prevent a group of high profile tournament bass anglers from talking about their favourite pasttime during the offseason.
In doing so, they hope to offer wit and wisdom to those wanting to improve their skills at catching these fish once they become fair game later this year.
The group has been barnstorming its way around the province, conducting a series of seminars known as Bass Talk. Now in its third season, the Bass Talk series is offered in seven different locations.
The nearest one to York Region is March 2 in nearby Uxbridge at DT Power Sports on Lakeridge Road.
The sessions run for a full day starting with registration at 7 a.m. From 8 a.m., registrants hear presentations from six anglers talking about six subjects pertaining to bass fishing. The sessions conclude with a question and answer period.
“You can’t fish for bass in the winter, so this is a great way to spend a day in the winter if you’re interested in bass fishing,” said Dave Chong, an Aurora resident and one of the guest lecturers on the Bass Talk circuit. “You will definitely learn a lot.”
Based on the feedback he has received, Chong feels more anglers are becoming aware of the winter Bass Talk caravan, derived from the Bassmasters University programs in the United States.
In fact, Chong notes, registrants are impressed to the point they tend to get overloaded with information.
“We’ve given them a lot of stuff and, a lot of times, we hear that they can’t believe we’ve given them certain bits of information,” he said.
You can attend any one of the seven session for $75. Additional sessions will run you $60.
Registration fees include coffee and doughnuts prior to the seminars, lunch and door prizes.
During the seminars, you can enter  raffles and take part in a silent auction benefitting a couple of charities including Casting for a Cure and the Catch and Dream Kids Fishing Derby, which Chong organizes with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of York Region. This year’s event is June 28 out of Orillia.
There’s also early bird registration. For the Uxbridge show, the early bird deadline is Feb. 17 and those who register early can win a prize valued at close to $400.
To learn more about Bass Talk or to register for one of the sessions, visit basstalk.ca