The latest annual Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Fishing Derby is being deemed a success.
Derby Committee member Mike Hahn says the event from July 19 to Aug. 3 saw anglers hit the water in Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Wiarton, and Lion’s Head.
While unable to say how many participated or how much was raised for the Lake Huron Fishing Club, he says he is very optimistic.
He also praised the pleasant weather during the event, which helped anglers reel in some large fish.
“With the weather being so beautiful and keeping the water flat on the main basin, we had a lot of anglers out there for 15 of the 16 days, which were fishable. It hasn’t been like that for a long time. I don’t remember in the last decade there being two weeks of just beautiful flat water for everybody to fish,” says Hahn.
He says he was pleasantly surprised by the results this year.
“Normally if you catch a salmon in the 16.5 pound range, you win a prize. This year with all the fish being so healthy and so much bigger, unless you caught a fish 18.5 pounds, you didn’t get a prize. That is a very positive outcome to see that the size of the fish is bigger,” says Hahn.
Debbie Brick, who won first place for largest salmon, reeled in a 25.62 lbs fish in Lion’s Head. Bentley Kuhl came in second with a 23.88 lbs and Gary Watson was third with their 22.42 lbs salmon.
Paul Geiger came in first for the largest trout at 21.8 lbs, which he caught in Kincardine. Jake Schwass was second with a 19.28 lbs and Paul Bester came in third at 18.42 lbs.
Ron Cecchin caught largest rainbow trout at 12.47 lbs, and Dave Irish reeled in the largest brown trout at 9.91 lbs.
In a new category added this year, Sam Ryder won the walleye category catching at 6.85 lbs fish.
“I took a couple of shifts at the Port Elgin weigh station and a gentleman came to say that the only reason he bought a ticket was for the walleye category,” says Hahn. “There we picked up an entrant that otherwise wouldn’t have bought a ticket, that was the goal of the walleye category.”
He believes the walleye category will become a permanent feature for the event.
Participants who need to collect their prize can contact Harold Cowan at 519-797-1942.
