Gil Vargas reeled in top spot in the annual Member Championships of the Filipino Amateur Association of Manitoba (FAAM). Gil Vargas sealed the championship with 23″ and 13″ walleye catches and also takes home the title of “Angler of the Year” for the second year in a row.
The 2021 edition was held last weekend out of Gimli Harbour on Lake Winnipeg with over 70 members participating in the COVID19 edition with social distancing in mind and photo submissions via Facebook Messenger and yelling from individual ice fishing tents.
The Filipino Anglers Association of Manitoba held their annual Member Championship on January 17 at Gimli Harbour. It was a ‘Covid Edition’ of the event meaning there was no gathering permitted and all fish caught had to be submitted via Facebook Messenger. Despite the rules against social interaction, we still had 78 members, including 17 youth, come out and compete for some fantastic prizes!
Finishing in 1st place in the Championship Final for the second year in a row was Gil Vargas. He caught a 13” and 23” walleye for a total score of 36 inches to best the rest of the anglers competing. On the Member Derby side, Richard Voluntad finished in 1st place catching eleven saugers and a perch for a whopping score of 112.25 inches! Ron Sarmiento finished in 2nd place with a 20” walleye and young Landon Legaspi came in 3rd with a great 19” walleye catch.
FAAM would like to thank the following sponsors for donating the prizes:
FINAL
1st – Eskimo Ice Fishing Gear – FatFish 949i shelter
2nd – Junior Bansal – Shimano Vanford
3rd – Humminbird – Lakemaster Manitoba Map Card
4th – Marcum – 10ah Lithium Battery Kit
5th – Dave Piott – Piscifun ICX reel
MEMBER DERBY
1st – Eskimo Ice Fishing Gear – QuickFish 2 shelter
2nd – Winnipeg Ice Fishing Show – Cabela’s ice rod set of 3
3rd – Acme Tackle – Tackle package and caps
Other sponsors: Jeff Laden, JagrTech, Kickerfish, Famous Dave’s, Gil Vargas, Jeremy Santos, Jen Trotman
Send an email to faam.membership@gmail.com for more information on how to join the association. Find us on Facebook as well at Filipino Anglers Association of Manitoba or @faamfishing204 on Instagram.
Photos courtesy of Eric Labaupa