Our 22nd annual Labour Day Chinook Derby was held on August 31 and September 1, 2019.
Since mid July, anglers in Port Renfrew had enjoyed some of the best Chinook fishing we have seen in several years, but fishing tapered off a bit in the last week of August.
The event was once again well attended with 286 anglers participating and an exciting finish with several leader board changes before the final 1 PM final weigh in time on Sunday.
Glen Wilson held the lead at the end of fishing on Saturday with his 25 lb 2 oz chrome beauty.
Terry Van Wieren hooked and landed the eventual winning fish early Sunday morning but didn't weigh it in until 90 minutes before the final weigh in time. Glen Wilsons fish held up to capture 2nd place, while Bobby Johnson's 23 lb 13 oz Chinook took 3rd spot.
Thank you once again to the Lake Cowichan Kinsmen and Kinettes for looking after the catering, great job and well done guys. The Victoria band "Freeze Frame"played their dance music following the awards presentations which everyone enjoyed. Thank you once again for making the trip out to Renfrew as you have many times in the past.
Another big thank you goes out to Sharon Winters and all her volunteers for putting together another fantastic array of prizes. Sharon took on this job this year after assisting Tedi in previous derby's, well done Sharon.
As most of our regular clientele know, this annual event is our major fundraiser for salmon enhancement with a total of $9,600 being raised at this years derby. A special thank you goes out to all the businesses and individuals for their generous donations allowing this to happen. This is another example of the sport fishing community stepping up to raise funds for salmon enhancement. Thank you again to all derby participants for your continuing support for this event.
Rex
Labour Day Weekend Salmon Derby Winners Pictures
2019 WINNER TAKES ALL COHO DERBY
The 2019 Coho Derby will take place on September 28th and 29th. Fishing will take place on Saturday, September 28 from dawn until 6 PM, when weigh in closes. Fishing will take place on Sunday, September 29 from dawn until final weigh in time at 1 PM, after which the winner will be declared.
Fishing boundaries will be from San Juan Point to Bonilla Point.
The entrance fee will once again be $25.00 per rod with $5.00 from each entrance fee going directly to salmon enhancement.
$20.00 from each entrance fee will be paid to the WINNER. In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed in shall be declared the winner.
The BIG DIFFERENCE in this years Coho Derby is that it is for HATCHERY MARKED, FIN CLIPPED COHO ONLY. Unmarked Coho are not eligible in the derby.
Although not required, for those interested, there will be 2 side bets available. One side bet for $20 per boat and another for $50 per boat. Again these are not required for participation in the Coho Derby.