Boxing Day Steelhead Derby Slated to be the Biggest in Northwest
Posted on December 16th, 2006 by Chris Gadsden

This year’s annual Boxing Day Steelhead derby on the Chilliwack Vedder River is slated to the biggest and best ever. This year is the 63rd year it has been held, although some historians are now saying it started a number of years previous to that, in the 1920s.

According to some information printed in the recent history book of the Chilliwack River Valley, “In the Arms of the Valley” it states that the earliest reference to a “King Steelhead” appeared in the February 7, 1929 edition of the Chilliwack Progress.

However the first name on this most sought after fishing trophy, the Ferguson and Furnell, is for 1938 when Carl Wilson captured it with a 12-pound 9-ounce steelhead. Forty-five anglers entered that year. In 2001, 450 anglers entered the derby, tenfold from 1938. Organizers hope the attendance will top the last few years where an average of 350 avid anglers usually have to brave cold and inclement weather, seeking British Columbia’s No. 1 game fish ,the majestic steelhead.

Don Kozak derby chairperson for the Chilliwack Fish and Game Protective Association, and a sponsor of the event says “it will be a world class event, the biggest ever in the North West.”

“The prizes that are available this year for the derby are unequalled in its history, as well we will be having several fundraising activities for both derby participants and those who do not enter the derby, fun for the whole family,”Kozak added.

Besides 12 trophies and prizes for different categories in the derby there will be a Fish Pond, 50/50 draws, derby ticket draws, a deal a card game, as well as live and silent auctions. Approximately $19,000 worth of prizes will be offered during the full day of activities that start at sunrise and wrap up shortly after two p.m. which is the deadline for weighing in a hatchery steelhead.

“At the end of the day we hope to make $10,000 profit, with all of it going into fish habitat restoration projects in the Chilliwack River Valley. Some of it once again will be going towards the excellent work the Chilliwack River Action Committee has been doing, that is repairing the clay slides the last 10 years” Kozak concluded.

Derby tickets can be purchased at local sports shops (Reaction Fly and Tackle and Fred's Custom Tackle) up to the day before the derby and on derby day they can only be purchased up to 10 a.m. at the Chilliwack Fish & Game Clubhouse on Chilliwack Lake Road.

Kozak nearly captured the Kingfish award himself, two derbies ago when he lost out to fellow Chilliwack resident Ken Bergman. Kozak’s fish weighted 12.41 pounds, Bergman’s 12.44. Further irony to this story was, both Bergman and Kozak were fishing the same run and Kozak showing good sportsmanship as he even gave Bergman some of his bait, which took the winning steelhead.

Some concern is being expressed by some anglers that because of the recent flood in the Chilliwack Vedder watershed water conditions may not be too favourable. This high water event opened up some new clay banks that can cause some muddy fishing conditions at times so the hope is that a cold snap replaces the current mild weather.

The largest steelhead caught in the derby was by well known sports figure, the late Walt Engle. Engle captured the winning steelhead in 1970 as it hit the scales at 21 pounds -3 ounces.

The smallest winning fish was caught by Wilfred Clark way back in 1942, it was only 9 pounds 2 ounces.

54 different anglers have had their name engraved on the Ferguson Furnell trophy over the derby’s history.

A number of anglers have captured the derby twice, including Leonard McCutcheon, Al Oloman, Wick Burnett, Ken Davidson, Robert Carruthers, Wayne Lillos and Tony Sevick. The late Sevick an avid angler was the Chilliwack Progress’ photo journalist for many years.

Fore more information about the derby, please read this page.

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