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Anglers cash in at annual Quatsino Fishing Derby

More than $5,000 handed out in sixth annual event
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Todd Servatius of Port McNeill shows off his winning 83-pound halibut in the annual Quatsino Fishing Derby Sunday.

The sixth Annual Quatsino Sound Fishing Derby started with liquid sunshine but ended up with the real stuff as local and visiting anglers competed for more than $5,000 in awards and ticket draw prizes.

Beginning dawn Saturday and ending at 1 p.m. Sunday, boats of all sizes worked the waters around Quatsino Sound.

One young teen, Kathleen Nelson, spent six hours in her open boat, in the rain and all alone before bringing in the first of her three entries. That's what we call true North Island determination and perseverance.

Stories of monster spring salmon lost, forgotten dip-nets and spectacular whale sightings were shared throughout the day. The final 12:45 p.m. weigh-in flurry Sunday brought out derby entrants and spectators alike to cheer on the last fishers before trooping up to Quatsino School for the volunteer fire brigade’s  much-applauded hot lunch concession.

At end of the day volunteers at the weigh-in station had recorded 206 fish, from 83-lbs down to .2-lbs (a wiggly perch caught by 3 ½ year old Stella Hardy).

Hats off to Ray Logan for pointing out a computer error at the Awards Presentation which named him grand prize winner.  The corrected results acknowledged Cathy Moore as the true winner of $1,000 for her 25.6 lb spring and many were won over by Ray’s honesty.

This was the first year cash prizes were presented for the three top weight catches by a derby kid (12 yrs. & under).  It took the younger winners a little while to realize the prize envelopes were full of cash, and then smiles were shining everywhere, from kids and parents alike.

Once the last of the ticket draw prizes were whisked away, the Quatsino Sound Fishing Derby came to an end.

As the anglers slowly headed back to their boats rafted up at the Government Wharf for the quick trip back to Port Alice or Coal Harbour, many others just headed down the road to their homes or cabins to recap this busy weekend’s event.

Grand Prize Winners:

25.6-lb spring – Cathy Moore: $1,000 (Port Hardy)

10.6-lb coho – Joshua Williamson: $500 (Port Hardy)

83-lb halibut – Todd Servatius: $500 (Port McNeill)

29.6-lb other (Ling Cod) – Henry Lacourse: $500.00

 

Second Prize Winners:

24.6-lb spring – Brian Kenny

10.2-lb coho (tie) – Fred McLauglin and Randy Peterson

71-lb halibut – David McLauglin

28.8-lb other (ling cod) – Larry Maharaj

 

Third Prize Winners:

24.4-lb spring – Mike Lind

9.8-lb coho – Fred McLauglin

69-lb halibut – Mike Lecourse

24.2-lb other – Jeff Mitton

 

Top Derby Kids (12 yrs & under):

(1) 10.6-lb coho – Joshua Williamson@ $150.00

(2) 6.6-lb other (cod) – Jamie Peterson @ $100.00

(3) 6.4-lb coho/halibut/halibut (three-way tie) – Hailey Tiberghien, Bradon Peterson and Jamie Peterson @ $100.00

 

Hidden Weight Winners:

Mike Magnusson (19.2-lb spring), Viola Sharpe (5.4-lb coho), Jim McLean (24.2 lb halibut), Tricia Hodkinson (5.2 lb other), Virginia Larin (13.4 lb spring), Jim Vining (3.8 lb coho), Allison Johnston (1.7 lb other).