Fishing season in southern Saskatchewan starts on May 5, and for one well-known local angler, it’s going to be even more meaningful.
Ralph Smart of Estevan opened up Prairie Pro Outfitters this spring, after purchasing the only guiding rights that were available for Rafferty Dam.
“I’ve fished at Rafferty since its inception here, when it first started going,” said Smart. “I’ve seen its potential as having very, very good fishing, and over the last few years, it’s gotten better and better. The lake’s matured, with more weed growth, and the population and the size of the fish in there is getting better and better every year.”
The experience he has on Rafferty makes him an ideal person to offer guided fishing experiences on the dam.
Smart has fished competitively in the Saskatchewan Walleye Trail and the Central Walleye Trail, with first place finishes and multiple top 10 finishes. He also participates in the Manitoba Master Angler Awards, attaining a silver award for 10-plus species meeting the length requirements.
There has been excellent interest in the business already, with some calls through his angling academy, and a few phone calls through the online booking option on his website. It’s simple and easy to use, as people just have to select a date on the calendar.
That angling academy teaches aspects of fishing for people of all experience levels.
“I’ve had a lifetime of tournament fishing and more advanced fishing, and I like to offer that and teach it to people,” said Smart. “You can be a beginner or more advanced, and we’ll set up, teaching all aspects from filleting to learning the new electronics, all of the new tackle, everything that I think pertains to a successful fisherman.”
When somebody books with Prairie Pro Outfitters, they’re presented with a few options. He can meet them in Estevan, at the Rafferty Marina outside the city, or at Mainprize Regional Park.
“It’s up to the people who are booking what they want to fish. We can fish for pike or we can fish for walleye and perch at the same time. You can fish multiple species during the day. We can mix it up if you want. And I have all the equipment on the boats, ready to go.”
His preference is that people not bring their own equipment, because he has brand new gear.
Smart will fillet the fish once they’re finished, and teach a few things during the outfitting session.
He has also volunteered at the Estevan Wildlife Federation’s conservation camp for local youths for more than a decade. He’ll take kids out on the water when he teaches them how to fish.
The experience is one of the catalysts for the business, and he hopes to be able to take a lot of kids out on the water.
“I was lucky enough to grow up with a family where we went fishing all of the time, and I’d like to offer that to families that haven’t had that opportunity. Especially since we have it so good at Rafferty, and it’s well worth the time to go out there. I think I can teach them how to be successful.”
Prairie Pro Outfitters also marks Smart’s effort to boost tourism in Estevan. There is great potential in the community with two reservoirs in the city’s backyard.
Not only is it good for him if the business succeeds, but it would be good news for hotels, restaurants, service stations and more.
“Even with the border closure, I still believe we can do extremely well with tourists from Canada coming down and checking out just how good it is,” said Smart. “I’ve been trying to help the city with promotions, and I think we can go a long way with it.”
Smart also has a partnership with the Days Inn Estevan. General manager Jeff Pierson has assisted Smart with Pierson’s connections, and Smart has offered accommodations at the hotel on his website.
People from the U.S. have been calling, because they’re eager to come to Canada to fish once the Canada-U.S. border is fully reopened.
Rafferty Dam is not only in close proximity to the Canada-U.S. border, but clients can fly into Regina and rent a vehicle to come to Estevan, or they can even fly into the Estevan Regional Airport, where he’ll arrange for pickup.
“Even Saskatchewan and Canadian residents are starting to see what we have in our backyard, and are taking advantage of it,” said Smart.
With an early spring like this, fish are in the midst of spawning season or wrapping up their spawn, so it’s pretty tough to catch a walleye. Usually the fishing becomes more consistent on June 1.
“May is mainly for pike fishing, I found out there. The pike are in super shallow, and haven’t moved out into deeper water yet, so it’s phenomenal pike fishing here for the first three weeks in May out on Rafferty.”
For more information on Prairie Pro Outfitters, you can visit www.prairieprooutfitters.com.
