GORD ELLIS

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FISHING?

Since I could hold a fishing rod. I started fishing at a very, very young age. Thanks to my Dad. He was the start of it all!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A LUND PRO-STAFF?

I was approached by another pro-staff member at a bass tournament in Sioux Narrows in 2000. Lund is the top brand in fishing boats, so it was difficult to turn down the offer to become part of the team. I’m a true believer in quality products, and Lund is that.

CAN YOU TELL US THE LARGEST FISH YOU HAVE EVER CAUGHT?

It would be a white sturgeon from the Frazer River back in 2000 (good things happened that year!) I actually caught two sturgeon that weighed in the 120 lb range. Those were both pretty big. I once played a monster halibut in the ocean but it was ridiculously huge and we ultimately broke it off. Sore arms!

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I live in beautiful Thunder Bay, Ontario. It would be hard to imagine a better place to live when it comes to multi-species fishing. We have the best of big water on Lake Superior and countless lakes, rivers and reservoirs inland. So many lakes, so little time.

WHERE DO YOU MOSTLY FISH?

I do a lot of fishing on the Nipigon system. This is the world’s greatest brook trout water but also has giant pike, monster lakers and, in the river, chinook salmon and steelhead. I do a range of tournaments in the region including the Geraldton Walleye Classic, Shebandowan Smallmouth Showdown and the Thunder Bay AYA. My team was the 2011 champs in Tbay.

WHAT IS THE BEST FISHING TIP THAT YOU EVER RECEIVED?

Keep your hooks sharp. Simple but so key.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE ANGLING COMMUNITY?

I’ve been involved in all aspects of the angling and outdoor community for nearly three decades. I’m a journalist and write both regionally, provincially and nationally for a wide variety of publications. I’m also a radio broadcaster and have worked for CBC since the mid-1980s. I’ve been involved in a variety of fishing and hunting clubs and continue to promote any events that involve the outdoors. Fishing, hunting and the outdoors is my life’s work.

PICK 5 WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF

Loyal, Energetic, Passionate, Curious, and Honest.

WHAT WAS THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE?

Hopefully this one, but last year was pretty good.

WHAT IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING YOU’VE EVER BOUGHT?

Oh, where to start. I’m addicted to buying muskie lures and have a few that look more like bad wood sculptures than lures.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Best life advice? Save your knees. That’s a good one. Do something you love. That’s what I tell my kids.

WHAT TRAIT DO YOU ADMIRE IN PEOPLE?

Loyalty is a big one with me. It’s such a noble trait, but incredibly rare.

WHAT’S YOUR WORST HABIT?

Procrastination, and this from a person who lives under endless deadlines. I’m trying to get better.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MODEL OF LUND TO FISH OUT OF AND WHY?

The Pro-V is such a classic fishing boat, the lines of it and the way it rides. It is just the ultimate multi-species fishing boat. I’m excited to be back in one for 2012.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO OUR ENTIRE STAFF AT LUND BOATS?

The Lund Pro-Staff is a who’s who of awesome anglers. All you have to do is look at the list and you know why they are on the team and why they choose Lund. It’s the cream of the angling fraternity. Proud to be part of it.