MANITOULIN—While an exciting new season of Fuel the Fire TV is currently in the works, Manitoulin Island’s homegrown fishing and hunting enthusiast show is moving to a brand new network, Sportsman Channel Canada beginning this week.
Neil Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation, host of Fuel the Fire TV, explained that production of Season 3 is currently underway with crews while Season 2 will re-run on the Sportsman Channel, a move from Wild TV for the television show. Season 3 will air in April and then again in the fall.
“We’re on for nine months of the year,” Mr. Debassige explained.
“It’s a move we’re excited about, for sure,” the Fuel the Fire host added. “This company (Outdoor Sportsman Group, which owns the Sportsman Channel) is looking to create a buzz in the Canadian market. We’re excited for what’s on the horizon for us in terms of the exposure the Sportsman Channel will bring.”
“There are some of us that operate best when we are outside,” a clip for the Fuel the Fire website states. “It grounds us and teaches us the lessons that we need to learn: respect, humility, truth, honesty, bravery, wisdom and love. If we pay close attention, all that we do will fall into one of these categories. With self-awareness, we can choose to not make the same mistakes over and over again. That way, we can become better—not only better hunters, but better people.”
“The goal of Fuel the Fire TV is to share our experiences in the outdoors so that others can not only watch but be inspired to try it themselves, thereby fueling their passions, and fueling their own fire, to get outdoors.”
Mr. Debassige is down a co-host this year as Rob Seifried is taking some time off to focus on his business, but viewers can still look forward to guest appearances. Fuel the Fire TV fans can also enjoy more guest appearances from wife Diane and their two daughters, Warren Corbiere, Cody Hunter, Luke Wassegijig, Stacy Rayner, Al and Laura Strader, Claude Lachance and special partnerships with Black Fox Fishing and Kikaboo Meat Seasoning Co.
Fans can also look forward to the launch of a Fuel the Fire podcast with the help of Jesse Beaudin which will coincide with the launch of Season 3.
For those participating in the inaugural Manitoulin Ice Showdown, expect to see Mr. Debassige and his crew out on Lake Manitou, filming for a future episode of Fuel the Fire TV. He’s not just there to film, however.
“I’m there to win it!” he laughed.
To check out Fuel the Fire TV, tune in to Bell satellite channel 419 or on Shaw, channels 127 or 458. The show airs five times a week on the Sportsman Channel: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm; Wednesdays at 8 am; Saturdays at 1:30 am; and Sundays at 4 am and 8:30 am.
