The 57th Annual Squam Bay Fish Derby annually occurs on the second Sunday in July, and this year that date of July 8, turned out to be a wonderful day.
There were 162 entries this year, with 41 fish weighed in.
“We had more prizes than fish,” said Jackie Van Sickle, “So we drew some names out of a bucket; and this is always fun, because you don’t even need to catch a fish to win a prize.”
Winning anglers were:
First place went to Nathan Chilibeck of Pinitan, with a 13 lb. 10 oz. Dolly, winning $600 and a keeper trophy
Second place was Dan Stoelwinder of Kamloops, with a 7 lb. 10 oz. Grey, winning $200 and a keeper trophy
Third went to Brook White of Qualicum, with a 7 lb. 5 oz. Grey.
Fourth place went to Ken Van Sickle of Squam Bay, with a 6 lb. 8 oz. Grey, (of note is the fact that Ken has participated in all 57 derbies).
Fifth place was Krista Turner of Kamloops, with a 6 lb. 2 oz. Grey.
Sixth and seventh place was a tie for brothers-in-law, Wayne Keller of Barriere, and Harold Bittner of Kamloops, with a 6 lb. 1 oz. catch.
Eighth and ninth was also a tie for Bernard Guilbault of Sorrento, and Mary Van Sickle of Squam Bay, with a 5 lb. 11 oz. fish.
Tenth went to James Remple of Clearwater, with a 5 lb. 10 oz.
Largest Rainbow was 4 lb. 8 oz, placing seventeenth in the draw for prizes was Chase Davidson of Kamloops, also taking home a keeper trophy and his name will go on the Ralph Keller Memorial Trophy.
Dayton Fraser won fortieth place in the draw, and the hidden weight prize with a 2 lb. 2 oz. rainbow.
Sponsors of the event were all recognized: Agate Bay Resort, Anglers Gift and Tackle, Brandt Tractor, Chevron, Chinook Cove Golf, Great West Equipment, Inland Kenworth, James Western Star, Karl’s Market Garden, Naramada Video Rod and Gun Sports, River City Marine, and Woodland Equipment.
“Having the sponsor’s donations makes the prizes that much more exciting for our fishermen,” said Van Sickle.