Just got in as staking out a hunting spot for tomorrow.
I see two threads going on this, will take the liberty of posting it here, I will make it brief as tired like many that took part. I will file a complete report, story later in the week.
To start is was wonderful to see so many FWR forum members taking part and having the privilege once again of meeting ones I have known for some time and other new ones including Kingpin and his brother. Kingpin and I spent about 15 minutes chatting mostly about duck hunting. Maybe it was the time we spent together is when I missed catching the Kingfish or was it that the Leaf logo fell off my Maple Leaf Drennan partly through the trip, actually Kingpin pointed it out to me.
Once again what a great gang we have here on FWR, so much fun seeing them at a event like this that gives us the chance to mingle together, catching a steelhead to me is secondary to that. Congratulations of course goes to those that did, be it a hatchery, a wild or even the chance to have one on for does make the day complete.
One member, our own Searun much to Big Steel's chagrin landed the first fish of the day a 6.88 pound fish, he had it on the scales at 9:35. Not to be outdone his partner fly guy connected with a 12 pound wild and lost another fish. Guppy was busy guiding the boys into their steelhead, nice work fellows.
The Kingfish was taken by Maple Ridge guide Wade Gienow, a steelhead weighing 13.48 pounds. Well done Wade who is a reader of FWR, maybe he will start posting now.
Todd McIntryre took second with his 10.66 pound fish.
Well known guide Rod Toth took third with a nice clean fish hitting the scales at 8.24 that he took on one of his jigs. I bought 5 before the derby but did not use them, darn it.
365 anglers took part with well over $10,000 raised for the real winner of the derby, fish habitat. Thanks to all that could take part, you all made the derby a success and are all winners. Pictures to follow later.