Two New Guys Join the Gamblorama

Once yer in, you can't get out...

Rick Beaudoin has been a pal to some of us for years and it was rumoured for years that he would join our trip. It finally happened this year. Also new on the trip was the guy known as Frenchie, the son-in-law of Snoop. Both are very experienced fishermen, and we expected some serious competition. Along with their expertise, they came with fancy boats and high-tech fishing equipment. We expected one of them to walk away with the 2025 canette but it did not happen. Al Mac won the 2025 canette again with his tried-and-true method of bottom fishing... and this one was caught from the Eagle's Rest dock!

...and how did the rest do?

Big Al was the lone standout in the crowd. Probably the next largest fish were a 2.5-pound pike and a 2.5-pound walleye, both caught by Frenchie. All others were under two pounds. Species caught on the trip included Pike, cats, out of season smallmouth bass and largemouth bass, walleye and the first ever crappie we've seen in the area.

Welcome to RKR Island

The 2025 trip was also the trip that we learned of the possible naming of an island in the largest bay of The Madawaska's Big Island. Although we did not land on RKR Island, a few os us toured around it by boat. Features on RKR Island are similar to the geography of the area with a rocky shoreline and a mix of deciduous and fir trees. It has small, natural beaches on both the north and south ends of the island.

An update to the name of the island has already been approved by Google Maps and proper identification signage for the island is scheduled to be installed in June 2026. The sign will be placed at the southernmost point of the island and possibly illuminated with solar lighting.

Gamblers and fishermen on the trip included Phil Anderson, Richard Beaudoin, Alvin Davis, Aurelien Digout, Al Heaney, Kyle Heaney, Warren Kidd, Allan Macintyre, Richard Vien and Ron Zinn. The clear winners of the Gamblorama might have been Whop and Davis, but we're not saying anything.

With the passing of Lorne Spotswood last year, we switched from Lorne's FishingMapsPlus to a local map provider. The new map is more detailed and has advertisements of local businesses.

A huge shout-out to Meaney for preparing the fantastic breakfasts! His yummy breakfast seem to get better every year.