Port Alberni named Ultimate Fishing Town
Carolyn Jasken, centre, her daughter Shauna and commercial fisherman Matt Stabler have led the campaign to have Port Alberni voted the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada.
WAWMEESH G. HAMILTON/Alberni Valley News
Buy Alberni Valley News Photos Online Recommend on Facebook
others also read...
Alberni Valley News
Ultimate fish town effort
Alberni tops finalists in Ultimate Fishing contest
Push is on for final Ultimate Fishing Town voting
Port Alberni salmon festival - day two
Port Alberni Toy Run attracts 621 motorcycles
Published: October 05, 2010 11:00 AM
Updated: October 05, 2010 11:56 AM
Port Alberni is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. And now the small Vancouver Island city has been named the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing Town. Alberni beat out Nestor Falls, Ont. by more than 30,000 votes for the bragging rights.
Representatives from Port Alberni will receive $25,000 to be used to fund local fishing projects as directed by the Sport Fishing Advisory Council and active members of the community.
"As far as Port Alberni winning the Ultimate Fishing Town title, I am very pleased that we can be recognized for one of our greatest assets," said Bob Cole, chamber of commerce director and passionate angler.
"As a town in transition from the declining forest-based industries and very much in need of a boost, highlighting our fantastic year-round fishing and recreational tourism will surely help fill the void".
WFN will also produce a 30-minute television special featuring Port Alberni to air on WFN in the spring. As the runner-up, representatives from Nestor Falls, ON, will receive a $5,000 award from WFN to their township to help fund local fishing projects.
"We commend the representatives from all of our participating towns, but especially those from Port Alberni and Nestor Falls, for the pride and passion they demonstrated supporting their communities," said Rubinstein.
"WFN's search for the Ultimate Fishing Town was not just about identifying the best place to catch the most fish. It was also about finding a passionate angling community and clearly Port Alberni demonstrated just that."
Chilliwack, B.C. also finished in the top 10. Dauphin, Man., with whom Port Alberni competed with in the nomination round, was third overall.
