An Airdrie resident, who for the past several years has hosted and produced a nationally televised fishing and wildlife program on cable television, will be bringing his favourite fishing gear and tackles to convenience stores across Canada.
Wes David, the host and producer of "Fishing the Wild West TV," a show focused on “informing, explaining, and teaching viewers localized information about fishing that is helpful and relative to anglers” of all experience levels, began his tenure on TV in 2016.
As a longtime Airdrie resident, David has called the city home for 25 years. Born and raised on a ranch near Beiseker, David was a former professional bullrider turned walleye tournament angler, outdoor writer, and show host.
In March, his show joined forces with the distribution company Core-Mark to deliver fishing tackle to Canadian convenience stores located on the way to bodies of water across the country.
“One of my goals when I started 'Fishing the Wild West TV' was to help bring fishing, and the enjoyment of fishing, into new areas and communities,” said David. “I believe having easy access to fishing tackle will help support that goal. Now you can get fuel, snacks, and fishing tackle on your way to any body of water at participating stores.”
According to David, he spends a minimum of 125 days on the water each year fishing, videoing, doing photo shoots, and researching information for magazines, and conservation efforts. He has written magazine articles covering all freshwater species of fish and fishing for them and some saltwater species. Articles also cover wildlife and fisheries, fishing gear, outdoor youth, and future conservation.
On his writing and conservation work, David said it’s all about proper education.
“[I’m] a big believer in conservation, educating about Canada’s fisheries and wildlife, and getting our youth involved in the outdoors.”
In 2009, David founded the Airdrie Hunting & Fishing Association and served two terms as president and one term as director at large. According to his bio page on the "Fishing the Wild West TV" website, David also works closely with Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl and also sat for three terms on the board of directors for the Outdoor Writers of Canada.
In a press release, Wild TV’s Vice President Scott Sterling remarked that David’s partnership with Core-Mark will prove to be an amazing benefit to fans of his show, which is currently in its ninth season.
“Bringing the fishing gear featured on 'Fishing the Wild West TV' into convenience stores across the country is such an amazing benefit to fans of the show,” said Sterling. “I am also confident that it will serve novice Canadian anglers by taking a lot of the guesswork out of what to buy by presenting the appropriate tackle…which will lead to more people continuing our great Canadian fishing heritage.”
The fishing tackles inspired by David’s favourite gear will hit store shelves across the country on May 1.
