Catfish Buy The Pound is a charitable event created by Dan & Eileen Coates. They are committed to raising money for The ALS Society of Manitoba, and aim to catch over 10,000 pounds of channel catfish by the end of 2017!
I really started fishing only 6 years ago, and it has turned into a passion for the sport.
My work travel takes me to many of the top bass destinations in the US, which has granted me the opportunity to fish in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Missouri. I know this list will grow. Locally I fish mainly along the Manitoba-Ontario border from the Whiteshell to Atikaki park. I have master angler & species specialist awards for small mouth bass and channel catfish. I have recently started crappie, parch, and walleye fishing too.
Back to catfish – I was originally introduced to channel cat fishing by Donovan Pearase of Blackwater Cats. I have developed an interest in the sport of cat fishing and hope to fish the Red River and the Mississippi over the coming years. I have had the fun of noodling for catfish in North Carolina but I prefer the line and hook style we use here in Manitoba.
I have had good luck over the last few years on channel cats having boated many master angler length catfish. There are some of the photos in the gallery already of past years’ catfish. I enjoy introducing people to the sport of cat fishing and know any day of the water is better than any day in the office.
In October of 2016, I was talking with my son Iain and told him that I was setting a personal goal of boating 5,000 pounds of catfish in 2017. He challenged me about the motivation for such a feat, and inspired me to focus on using cat fishing for a good cause. That is how Catfish Buy the Pound came to be. Our family has experience with ALS, losing my father-in-law years ago. This led us to partner with The ALS Society of Manitoba to help raise funds for research and client services.
Eileen Coates, with of Dan Coates fishing enthusiast, has had opportunity to travel, fish, and meet many pro anglers throughout the southern USA. Most weekends find the couple somewhere on a boat.
Born in southern Saskatchewan, the prairie girl realized the enjoyment of being on the water 6 years ago. As an amateur photographer and nature lover, boating provides Eileen many opportunities for spectacular photographs.
Losing her dad to ALS gave first-hand experience to the rapid progression of the disease and its impact on the entire family.
Combining the couple’s passion for fishing and the devastation of ALS made Catfish Buy the Pound a natural cause.
Joining forces to fundraise and catch 10,000 pounds will assist The ALS Society of Manitoba with money needed for research and help families living with this devastation disease.
Please consider sponsoring Dan and Eileen in this worthwhile cause by donating today.
Visit their website or facebook page for more info .
