'Fishbowl' shares joy of Ontario sports fishing

Friends and family know him as ‘Fishbowl.'

Dedicating most of his life to fishing and the aquatic world, Chris Pfohl from Cambridge still lives up to the name.

“I didn’t swallow a goldfish at some college party. That’s not what happened. It just comes from being really immersed in fishing all my life. It’s always been my passion,” Pfohl said of his nickname's origin. “And well, bowl kinda rhymes with Pfohl. The name just stuck and I’ve just always been known as that.”

Since launching his newest venture, Sportfish Ontario, last year, Pfohl is eager to share his fishing knowledge and experiences with others.

Sportfish Ontario offers customized fishing adventures, multi species fishing opportunities from panfish to muskie, walleye, trout and salmon, and all-season angling adventures.

Born and raised in Cambridge, Pfohl, 51, said fishing has always been a part of his life which has also led to a professional career as a senior aquatic ecologist where he works to protect sensitive aquatic environments.  

“I still remember walking through Dumfries Conservation Area to get to Ryerson Public School. I would stop on the way to capture minnows and play around in the pond,” Pfohl said.

“I was just drawn to it. I would make pockets of fish that I caught with the hope that they would still be there when I came back from school. Most of the time, they would not be there. But the odd time, they would stick around.”

As a boy, when it came to fishing, Pfohl did not want to miss a single opportunity.

“My grandparents had a cottage. Being able to go in the boat was a really big deal for me. I would stare at that thing and I could hardly wait for that motor to run,” Pfohl said. “When my opa asked where I wanted to go, I remember feeling so overwhelmed. There were so many spots that I wanted to go to, but I knew I could only pick one.”

Pfohl soon realized that picking the perfect fishing spot was key.

“Often my opa would nap. If the fishing wasn’t that great or I did get a snag, I would have to wait for him to wake up. It made me think ok, if I want to fish, I better start making the right decisions,” Pfohl said.

“And that’s what I do now with Sportfish Ontario. It’s about making the right decisions and choosing the right places to go. It's about understanding what people would like to get out of their day.”

Pfohl said some people prefer to just hang out and enjoy the water, while others are really keen to learn.

“Some want to catch the biggest fish they can find. It all depends on the person’s preferences. And this is what I envision this business to be. It’s more about the client defining what they want out of the experience. That’s my hope," he said.

"I’ve got two girls, a wife, and work. And now I’ve got this which I really enjoy. It’s something fun that I hope will grow in the future. And a big part of that fun, is sharing the experience.”

Pfohl has fished not only for pleasure.

Competing for Team Canada in international flyfishing competitions, Pfohl landed 25 of the rainbow trout over five sessions to win a silver medal at the 2008 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships in New Zealand.

“I was actually the first Canadian to win a medal in an international fly-fishing competition. It was a monumental experience," Pfohl said.

“I also competed at the World Fly Fishing Championships in Scotland. I ended up beating a previous world champion.”

Pfohl enjoys sharing fishing advice when he can.

“I like when people ask questions and I feel like I can help. There’s a real satisfaction is in helping somebody,” he said.

After walking his daughters to dance practice one day, Pfohl stopped along the Soper Creek path where he ran into a young boy with a fly rod.

“You could tell he was struggling, and his grandfather was there. I asked him if he wanted to learn more. His eyes lit up. I spent half an hour with him, and after a while, he was able to effectively cast the fly rod,” Pfohl said.

“It was really satisfying. His granddad was very grateful and the young boy was very happy. If I see anyone struggling, I will offer to help.”

Pfohl said he hopes Sportfish Ontario will help to create memories.

“I hope that people will have an experience that they won’t forget. But this is also something that is educational, fun and enjoyable,” Pfohl said.

Being around water is calming and, Pfohl says, offers a great place to unwind.

“Just being outside, in the elements, it's so satisfying,” Pfohl said.

“And I love to explore. It's an adventure walking up a river or stream. There’s always another bend where I am driven to see what’s around the corner and what is about to come next.'