LITTLE CURRENT—The pristine waters of the North Channel were alive this past weekend as 55 teams of anglers from across the province made their way to Little Current for the SCB Haweater Open—a stop on the 2025 Huron Bass Tour fishing derby that took place over the long weekend of August 2 and 3, with a pre-fish having taken place on August 1. With the Haweater festivities in full swing, the derby adds an exciting event to the Island’s long weekend celebration, combining the competitive fun of tournament bass fishing with the unmistakable charm of Manitoulin’s biggest weekend of the summer.
Orchestrated by tournament director Laszlo Feher, the SCB Haweater Open was more than just a fishing event. Rather, it was a huge community success, showcasing both the Island’s world-class angling potential and the power of local collaboration. From the start, Mr. Feher made it clear that this wasn’t a one-man effort. “This tournament doesn’t happen without the tireless efforts of my family and friends,” Mr. Feher said, visibly moved after the final weigh-in. “Everyone put their heart into it, and I couldn’t be more grateful.” Mr. Feher was also quick to add, “We also couldn’t have done this without all of the generous donations and contributions from all of our sponsors who made sure that we had the means to put on a great event.”
The event was a professional and conservation-focused event conducted with great attention placed on environmental responsibility. While the excitement of competition buzzed through the docks and boats, conservation remained at the heart of the tournament. From the beginning, anglers were reminded that fish care was paramount and not just as a tournament rule, but as a shared value. In the sweltering August heat, every effort was made to ensure the safe handling and return of fish to the water. Teams were required to test their live wells, use mandatory fizzing techniques (with kits provided), and attend a pre-fishing meeting designed to reinforce protocols around fish health and safety.
The barge-based weigh-in station, which was provided by Diamond Sponsor Rob Sheppard of Sheppard Custom Building, was stationed just outside Little Current harbour. It served as both a hub and community gathering point, where fish were weighed under careful observation before being quickly released back into the water. Not a single fish was seen floating after either tournament day, a success that tournament organizers and the fishing community took pride in. “The success of this event depends on the management of the fish as much as the people running it,” said Mr. Feher. “The tour staff is counting on everyone to do their part.”
When all was said and done, the winners were announced in front of a crowd of approximately 200 locals and tourists who gathered to cheer on the lucky anglers. The big winners were, ironically, Team No. 1 – Clint Hurd and Tom Hardy who took home top honors, netting a whopping $16,000 cash prize for their stunning two-day total of 50.42 lbs. The pair not only dominated the leaderboard but also earned bragging rights for landing the largest fish of the tournament, a mouth-dropping 6.27 lb smallmouth bass that had spectators cheering, which also earned them $550 additional dollars for their efforts.
Hot on their heels was the duo of Matt Bettio and Terry Kowalchuk who finished second with an equally impressive 48.34 lbs, and the team of David Feher and Ben Bond came in a close third at 48.29 lbs, just a touch away from claiming silver.
With cash prizes awarded to the top 11 teams, the competition remained fierce right to the finish. Payouts started with a $500 returning of the entry fee and rose sharply from there. Along with cold hard cash, the tournament was also flush with gear, swag and generous sponsor-donated items, adding extra excitement for competitors. In addition to the prizes afforded to the lucky anglers, Mr. Feher also made a generous donation to the Little Current Lions Club, which was presented to Lion Alicia McCutcheon, who had also volunteered as a deck hand. Lion Alicia had spent several hours on both days of the tournament assisting anglers but helping them to dock their boats as they hurried in for weigh-ins.
While the anglers reeled in the fish, Rob Sheppard played a key behind-the-scenes role in making it all possible. Not only did he provide the barge that served as the weigh-in platform, but his company, Sheppard Custom Building, also stepped up as the event’s Diamond Sponsor. Mr. Feher offered special thanks to Mr. Sheppard and Nat Williams throughout the weekend, both on the mic and behind the scenes. “We owe Rob a huge thank you,” Mr. Feher noted. “He’s helped turn this event into a reality.”
The SCB Haweater Open also drew attention from Canadian fishing royalty in the form of Bob Izumi, who competed alongside partner Erick Hodgins. Though the duo didn’t make the top prize list, they landed a solid Top 10 finish, earning $550 and plenty of admiration from fans who recognized Mr. Izumi from his decades on television. When asked to say a few words, Mr. Izumi didn’t hold back in his praise of the event—or the region. “The effort and hard work that Laszlo and his family have put into this event has been incredible,” he said. “We had a riot the entire time we were here. Everything from the prizes, and the setup—it all takes a lot of time and effort, and you guys all did such a fantastic job.”
But it wasn’t just about the tournament. Mr. Izumi also used the opportunity to shine a light on Manitoulin’s untapped fishing potential and the value it holds for both anglers and the broader tourism economy. “This area remains one of the last true fishing hatcheries for bass that remains unpressured in the province—maybe in the entire country,” Mr. Izumi said. “It’s such an amazing fishery for so many species. I could easily spend a month here fishing and probably wouldn’t even begin to cover enough water to truly appreciate what the area has to offer.” Mr. Izumi added “And (Little Current) has been fantastic with (Haweater Weekend). There’s been so much to see and do, and we had a blast. It would be nice to see the tourism community get involved in this event, because it’s a really good opportunity to bring in tourists and get more people to visit this beautiful town.”
By the end of the weekend, the SCB Haweater Open had proven to be far more than just a derby—it was a statement. A statement that Manitoulin Island is ready to host high-level competitive fishing events. A statement that community-powered projects can lead the way in conservation, culture, and celebration. And a statement that Laszlo Feher and his team are building special that could very well become an annual tradition.
As the equipment was stowed, the boats trailered and goodbyes said, there was a veritable sense of pride amongst everyone involved. For those who fished, volunteered, sponsored or simply watched from shore, it was clear: the SCB Haweater Open is hooked on a bright future—and the Island is better for it.
