Ah, the Boxing Day derby … lots of great memories over more than 50 years.
- Being the only Junior entered back in the early 60’s and breaking off a fish of about 8 freak’n lbs! I cried, and never, ever bought that cheap Army and Navy blue line again.
- In the mid 70’s losing a huge, huge fish after fighting and following it about 20 minutes. The winner that year was 14 lbs; mine was far larger and it fell off. I got totally drunk by 11 am and embarrassed myself big time; I was thrown in the back of a pick up in the pouring rain to sober up and … I deserved it.
- Entering 3 fish over the years that didn’t place in the prize winners, but fishing with anglers who did cash in. We fished together and were there for each other; no jealousy.
- Hanging out with the Vedder legends, the old timers I considered experts; drinking rye straight from the bottle with them, and most importantly to me, being accepted as a decent angler.
Good times indeed. Good luck entrants!