This weeks 20 questions blog brings up Aquabatics Ambassador Terran Bernhard. Terran is a guy, I've had the pleasure of both fishing and camping with Terran. His positive attitude and great outlook and experience with kayak fishing are a great asset to the ambassador team and the community alike. You see him down the Calgary way or off on some adventure in his home province of Saskatchewan chasing there bountiful walleye. Take a minute and read the questions below. Everybody, meet Terran.
1.Who the heck are yeah?
Terran Bernhard - Kayak fisherman, geological engineer, and avid outdoorsman
2.Where yeah from?
Currently I live in Calgary, but I grew up on a farm just east of Humboldt, Saskatchewan.
I got hooked on kayak fishing in the summer of 2013 and haven’t looked back!
4.What are you looking forward to this upcoming season as an Aquabatics Ambassador?
I’m looking forward to helping grow the sport by getting more people out kayak fishing. The Aquabatics ambassador team is a very experienced and diverse group with a great paddling knowledge so I’m excited to work with them.
5.Why kayak angling when there’s so many other ways to get on the water?
I like the independence of it. I can go fish where I want, whenever I want, and enjoy nature while I’m at it. Having a big fish pull my kayak around a lake is also a great feeling that you just don’t get on a boat or on shore.
6.Do you remember what your first fishing kayak was? colour?
My first kayak was a Wilderness Systems Ride 115 in dusk (orange and grey). I still own it and use it to take friends and family out kayak fishing.
Terrans whip pulled up on Jan Lake Saskatchewan.
7.If you could build the perfect fishing kayak what would it look like?
Stable, fast, and of course pedal powered. As for looks, I really like the wilderness systems sonar colouring of green, black and white.
8.Where’s your favorite place to get out on the kayak and fish, well one your comfortable sharing with the world anyway?
It’s a toss up between Northern Saskatchewan and Vancouver Island. Northern Saskatchewan has awesome pike and walleye fishing and I really enjoy being remote and off the grid. Vancouver Island has the scenery and so many species to choose from.
9.What's the longest commute you’ve made for a weekend of kayak fishing?
The past two years I’ve driven 17 Hours to the Moucha Bay Kayak Fishing Derby on Vancouver Island. I stayed for a few days and caught my fill of salmon and rockfish. Luckily my work is flexible enough that I can take a few days off around tournaments to make them multi day fishing trips.
10.Do you enjoy overnight expeditions in your kayak? Why?
I haven’t done any backcountry kayak fishing trips yet but I’m already planning to do at least one this year. I always have too much gear so I’m going to have to downsize to make it work. All of my trips so far have just involved car camping and kayak fishing so I’m excited to get out and do a multi-day kayak fishing expedition.
11.How are you pushing yourself as an angler?
My goal each year has been to catch new species of fish and fish new bodies of water. This year I am pushing to catch a bull trout and an arctic grayling by fishing in some different lakes in the mountains.
Pumpkin Seed caught in the Okanagan Valley
12.Do you enjoy kayak fishing tournaments?
Yeah, it’s a great way to meet a bunch of awesome people and share kayak rigging ideas. The kayak anglers involved are always willing to help new anglers out so anyone can Join!
13.Any new skill or technique you’ll be adding to your fishing arsenal this fast-approaching season?
I am working to learn more finesse presentations for walleye this season.
14.What’s your dream kayak fishing trip?
It has to be Los Buzos, Panama. Catching a roosterfish out of a kayak would be incredible!
15.What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen while paddling or pedaling as the case may be?
I’ve had an eagle pick up a fish right in front of me and I’ve watched a sea lion swim under my kayak. Hopefully there’s more cool wildlife encounters to come this season!
16.What’s the best advice you would give to someone brand new to kayak fishing?
Make sure to test a kayak before buying it. Many folks are willing to bring new people out to demo their kayak or go to one of Aquabatics demo days. The demo days are a great way to compare a bunch of kayaks to find the one that fits your needs.
17.If you could get out on the water with anyone in the world past or present who would it be?
I’d have to go with my brothers and my cousin. Each year we go on a kayak fishing trip in Northern Saskatchewan and it’s always one of the trips I can’t wait to do again.
18.Is there anything you would change about sport?
Not really, it’s been awesome to see kayak fishing grow in Alberta over the last few years and hopefully it continues!
19.If you had to describe yourself as a fishing lure, what would it be and why?
A Len Thompson five of diamonds - Originally from Saskatchewan but moved to Alberta just like me. It’s also one of my go to pike lures.
Sunsets and Terran, makes a good postcard. In Northeast Saskatchewan.
20.Is there anything I missed you wanted to add?
Make sure to check out the Western Canadian Kayak Fishing Trail for the upcoming kayak fishing tournaments this season.
Thanks for reading and big thanks for Terran taking the time to answer We look forward to this upcoming season with Terran as an ambassador.
Please check out Terrans social media offerings here.
FB @Terran Bernhard Insta @saskkayakangler
