A fishermans friend - Jim Huey, the host of The Dimestore Fishermen, is coming to the Columbia Valley to film a segment for his TV show and locals interested in rubbing elbows with the famous angler will have a chance to do so. Photo submitted

A fishermans friend – Jim Huey, the host of The Dimestore Fishermen, is coming to the Columbia Valley to film a segment for his TV show and locals interested in rubbing elbows with the famous angler will have a chance to do so. Photo submitted

By Dan Walton

Pioneer Staff

One of Canadas most famous anglers will be casting his rods in the Columbia Valley over the next week.

Beginning on Sunday, October 26th, The Dimestore Fishermen will spend three days on the local waterways to reel in some footage for its fishing program.

I am The Dimestore Fisherman, the one and only, producer and host Jim Huey told The Pioneer.

When I was a kid, you could drive to a local store here in Calgary, and you could get all your fishing stuff maybe four bobbers or your bait or your snail hooks for just a dime.

He said the actual dime store was the centre of the Calgarys outdoorsman scene, and The Dimestore Fishermen program largely built its subject matter around that sense of community.

That was the feeling behind that name, and then when the show originally aired it really seemed to resonate with people, he said.

With a small group of friends, Mr. Huey said the series first began in 1999, and this season will see the team pass episode number 200. Every episode is filmed in a different Canadian fishing territories.

Were very uniquely Canadian and all about Canadian communities.

The show was partially lured to the valley upon hearing of Invermeres record-breaking Whiteway, he said, though he was also coerced by discussions with Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Susan Clovechok and Rocky River Grill Owner Justin Atterbury.

This is an exciting thing for us, and I think were tied in with the right people in the area, said Mr. Huey.

The trip will likely provide enough content for a full episode of the show, but that largely depends on the assistance of his underwater colleagues, he said.

Provided that the fish co-operate with us, we would be thrilled to do a unique feature on the valley, he said. Ive never been fishing in the valley before.

While theyre here, the valley can get acquainted with the crew over trivia at the Station Pub. The guys will be taking part on the evening of Wednesday, October 29th for fishing-themed questions. And the stakes are high there will be an Abu Garcie fishing rod and tackle bag for one team to win.

The program can be viewed through many Newcap affiliates, mostly in regions through Alberta (the program is not available through the local Shaw network). Older episodes are available on their website www.dimestorefishermen.com while a new website, expected around late spring, is in the works to offer more episodes online.