On Sunday, Nov. 22 on CHEK TV, the popular TV show the BC Outdoors Sport Fishing series, now in its seventh season, is airing an episode that was shot here in Port Hardy. The series first started during a fishing trip in 2009 and the following spring the pilot was filmed. It has now aired 65 episodes on 12 different networks across Canada and the US. On every BC Outdoors Sport Fishing episode, the Host/Producer, Mike Mitchell, who is also the editor of the BC Outdoors magazine, features local experts as his co-host, each showing their skills related to fishing.
When asked what his experience was like filming here, Mitchell replied, "it was great. Port Hardy is one of the top three places for me to fish. I try to get up here at least once a year." The other two top places for him to fish are the Central Coast and the West Coast of Vancouver Island. In fact, his true fishing love is chasing salmon off the coast. Once salmon season is over, stillwater fly-fishing becomes his main outdoor focus. He has spent five seasons fly-fishing next to Brian Chan in the early spring and late fall in the interior and on Vancouver Island.Mitchell's other show that he executive produces, Sportfishing Adventures, is hosted by Brendan Morrison and Chris Burns, who share the hosting duties throughout the season. Morrison played in the NHL for 15 years and is an extremely passionate angler that hosts his own annual charity fishing derby. Burns grew up fishing on the west coast. He played for 11 seasons in the CFL and has one Grey Cup win with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1999. Sportfishing Adventures takes pro athletes/celebrities on world class guided fishing trips where they have a friendly competition on the water. The athletes and celebrities fish and discuss their careers, the fishing charter, and the resort where they stay at. The previous season included guests Kirk McLean, Miikka Kiprusoff, Mark Stepnoski, Dave Babych, Terry David Mulligan and more.
Mitchell, who describes himself as a husband, father, friend, editor, producer and show host, said he likes fishing in Port Hardy so much because "it's fairly close to the harbour, lots of different areas, and all kinds of fish."When it comes to local businesses in Port Hardy he enjoys visiting when he's in town, he was quick to reply the Quarterdeck Inn's "a great spot to stay at." He thinks Sporty's Bar and Grill is "great, too," and that he's looking forward to his "next great adventure in the great BC outdoors."