Red Fisher always gave Canadians exactly what they wanted... him
On May 5, 2006 The fishing world suffered the lost of a true icon, Bernard Herbert (Red) Fisher passed away in Chatham at age 92.
He will be dearly missed by all those he touched with his TV show, his humour, his poetry and most of all his friendship.
This article has been revived from our 1999 archives in his memory.
Fishing icon remembered
Mitchell's Bay celebrity dies at 92
By Bob Boughner
Local News - Monday, May 08, 2006 @ 09:00
MITCHELL’S BAY The lights are out at Scuttle-Butt Lodge.
Bernard Herbert (Red) Fisher, whose outdoor television show was seen weekly by millions of North Americans, died Friday night in Chatham.
Fisher, best known as “Red’’ and considered the father of Canadian television fishing shows, was 92.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time.
Fisher and his late wife, Lois, travelled the globe hunting and fishing with well-known sports celebrities including Fergie Jenkins of Chatham and the late Ted Williams.
A special feature of the weekly television show was a discussion on the world of outdoors from his Scuttle-Butt Lodge at Mitchell’s Bay.
Former Blenheim resident Bob Izumi, whose Real Fishing Show is seen around the world today, said Fisher was his inspiration.
“I used to sit in front of the TV every Saturday afternoon and watch Red interviewing guests at Scuttle-Butt Lodge,’’ Izumi said Sunday.
Izumi said he got his start in the television world shortly before Fisher’s program ended in the late 1980s.
“Red and I got together in 2004 and travelled to Ennadai Lake in Nunavut in the Northwest Territories to film a fishing show,’’ he said.
Izumi said after landing a huge pike, Fisher hung his rod and reel above the bar in the Ennadai Lake Lodge.
“It was the last time he ever fished,’’ he said.
Izumi said a replica of the pike Fisher landed was sold at a Fishing Forever dinner in Toronto for $22,000.
“The buyer returned the fish to our non-profit foundation and we often make it available for showing at special events,’’ he said.
Chatham businessman Bob Rule described Fisher as “one of a kind he was a very colourful individual who loved fishing and hunting.’’
Rule, owner of Maple City Marine Ltd. in Chatham, has a summer home at Mitchell’s Bay a few doors away from the old Scuttle-Butt Lodge.
“I watched many of his shows over the years,’’ recalled Rule.
“He was a pioneer when it came to fly-in fishing in Canada’s northland.’’
Bob Branquet, owner of Bob N’ Buoys Restaurant at Mitchell’s Bay, said he never met Fisher in person.
“But I knew him well from his television shows,’’ he said. “Like most people, I envied his lifestyle.’’
For those of you who don't remember Red he had one of the first fishing shows and I can remember watching every show.... wondering if someday I might get to catch fish like him. Thanks Red.
A loss to the fishing world for sure. My dad and I would faithfully watch his show. 
