 What a way to kick off the 2026 Hook & Paddle Multi-Species Series! For the first time ever, we brought the series to Parc Provincial Mt. Carleton Provincial Park, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From the moment anglers arrived, the Mount Carleton staff were there with smiles (and even a power wash station!) welcoming everyone in during their busy opening weekend. The park was buzzing — the lodge was open, campsites were full, and you could feel the excitement building as anglers geared up to hit Lake Nictau for the first time. Adding to the atmosphere, Fire Search & Rescue had the BBQ fired up, live music playing, and the entire scene felt more like a festival than a tournament. Staff and spectators gathered lakeside to watch the shotgun start, sending the field of 40 anglers off under beautiful conditions Sunday afternoon. As the evening rolled on, the wind picked up and whitecaps started rolling, but anglers pushed through and made their way back in safely. For many, this was their first time on Nictau — and let’s just say… not many were eager to share what they found. The night turned into what Hook & Paddle is all about — community. Food, stories, laughs, and even watching the Montreal Canadiens drop Game 6 together made for a memorable evening. DAY 2 – THE GRIND With one of the earliest starts we’ve ever had, anglers were back on the water for a 6:00 AM horn, some just barely making it out in time. Conditions flipped overnight — drizzle, wind, and a chill in the air — but it was time to get to work. The hunt was on to find not just fish, but species, and some of the more uncommon ones that could separate anglers from the pack. RESULTS & HIGHLIGHTS Target species was trout — but this one came down to who could find the most diversity… and the right fish at the right time. 1st - Travis Melanson takes the win ($1500) Clutch last-minute sucker sealed it AND set a NEW Hook & Paddle Yellow Perch record: 13.50” Earns 5 bonus points on the season. 2nd - Amanda Metz ($700) Also landed a sucker. She also beat the previous record for Yellow Perch at 13.25”. Earns 5 bonus points. 3rd - Gage Nyenhuis ($400) Strong 13” trout. Added a solid fallfish to round out his card. 4th – Isaiah Hall ($250 + 13 Fishing Canada Rod) 5th – Bryan Cawthra ($150 + Minnow Tackle Shop Prize Pack) Shout Out to Jason Gould for landing the Lunker Trout on the weekend - 14 inches won him the X Zone Lures Target Species Prize Pack! Access Paving and Construction Elimination bracket is updated. Top 3 anglers also took home custom Atlantic Laser Works, featuring a beautifully designed trout for this stop. BONUS SPECIES CHAOS This year’s new twist is already making waves: Any species NOT on our 16 eligible species list = +10 bonus points (once per season) And anglers wasted no time… 31 anglers already checked it off:
THANK YOU Huge thanks to:
Be sure to scan the QR code Creel Survey in the photos below to submit your catch data as part of our partnership with New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick This was more than just a tournament… it was a discovery mission. New water. New species. New records.
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