Standing proudly as a testament to the city’s title as the “Catfish Capital of the World,” Selkirk’s beloved fiberglass monument, Chuck the Catfish, marks a major milestone. Erected in 1986, this iconic 11-meter-long roadside attraction has spent four decades welcoming visitors, starring in countless travel photos, and serving as a symbol of community pride and local heritage.
Thomas “Tom” Albert Norquay (1925–1979) was a Selkirk-born Second World War veteran who enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Following his military service, he graduated from the University of Toronto as an optometrist and opened the very first optometry practice in Selkirk.
Chuck Norquay’s infectious passion for fishing singlehandedly secured Selkirk’s title as the “Catfish Capital of North America.” Discover his journey from a local guide to an international fishing celebrity, the famous 1985 letter that brought TV’s Babe Winkelman to the Red River, and the story behind the iconic 30-foot statue erected in his honor