Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: chris gadsden on January 01, 2006, 04:44:59 PM
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Well the 62th annual Boxing Day Derby that turned to the First of January derby was well worth the wait as the conditions were perfect water and weather wise for the 308 entrants. 13 fish were brought to the scales when the derby ended at 2 pm.
Last year Bruce Bishop won the smallest fish trophy and this year he moved up a number of rungs right up to the top taking home the Ferguson and Furnell pepetual trophy with his 13 pound 6 ounce buck. Bishop caught the derby winner around 9:30 am on a green and white wool tie with a roe sack. He was fishing mid river.
Other winners
2nd place, Haley Johnson, 11 pounds 9 ounces
3rd place, Kevin Joinson, 11 pounds
4th place, Ian Cameron,10 pounds 6 ounces
5th, place Ken Charles, 10 pounds 5 ounces
First fish weighed in Travis Heathman 10 pounds 15 ounces at 8:35 one hour and one minute before Wade Gienow who had the second fish brought in, 9 pounds 15 ounces.
Heaviest by a club member, Martin Fraser, 9 pounds 11 ounces
Smallest fish, Lars Nilsson, 6 pounds
Hidden Weight, Ken Edmondson, 8 pounds, 11 ounces. 5 ounces off the hidden weight.
Other fish caught
Jon Clingwall, 10 pounds 2 ounces
Chris Gadsden, 10 pounds 2 ounces ;D ;D ;D
Gary Patterson, 8 pounds 10 ounces
More stories and pictures to come as I will have to write how I rolled, rolled, rolled my fish right along ;D ;D ;D for a derby prize as I predicted on my post yesterday. ;D
Nice to meet a number of FWR forum members including birdman and his dad as well as Big Steel (Who was not as bad as I thought he would be for a Canuck fan. ;D ;D ;D), Searun 17, and his Son, flyguy, deadhead and a number of others.
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Well done. :)
(http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/2871/img47838ic.jpg)
Jr. Winner 1953
(http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/417/img47915zf.jpg)
13 fish on the board outside.
(http://img342.imageshack.us/img342/3962/img47893ns.jpg)
Chris' 10lb 3oz and BIG smile ;D
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Seeing that Big steel cant post until he lands his next steely i thought i would do it for him.Today big steel,guppy and myself started out fishing the mid river section,the water had about 2 feet of visibility and was still a little high but very fishable,we fished some nice runs but no luck for us or anyone else on this part of the river,after covering this area we proceeded up river were the water had 3to 4 feet of visibility and was in good shape,we saw three steelies caught all wild and big steel managed to hook about a 12-14 lb wild doe that he lost in some pretty fast water, as for guppy and myself we each had one good strike on the upper river but were unable to connect,there were 13 fish weighed in at the derby with the biggest being 13.36lbs and the smallest being just over 6lbs,the weather on the river today was about 6 degrees Celsius with a slight breeze with very little precipitation,it also looks like the freezing level may have dropped a little judging by the snow on the mountains,a couple more days with no rain and the river should be in prime shape,there seems to be good numbers of fish in the system at this time,good luck and happy new year to everyone.
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nice ;D good to see you got a fish chris. ;D ;D
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Also forgot to mention Bishop got a 4 night, 3 day fishing trip to Winter Harbour kindly donated by Wayne Ridley, Thanks Wayne for the generous donation. ;D ;D
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It was good to have met you Chris,also don't let big steel fool you he is really a Columbus bluejackets fan at heart.
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hey big steel this must be killing you that you can't post a thing.lmao. ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D
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Also forgot to mention Bishop got a 4 night, 3 day fishing trip to Winter Harbour kindly donated by Wayne Ridley, Thanks Wayne for the generous donation. ;D ;D
Wayne's charter business:
http://www.ridleyfishingcharters.com/
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My fish just after landing at 1:04. Notice the bit of pink wool I had along with the now eaten pro cured prawn tail. Also a recycled Fish A. drennan float with Leaf emblem attached in FA's and Big Steel's honour. ;D ;D ;D
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/cgadsden/DSCF0020.sized.jpg)
The scene of the action, notice the spill over where the hen steelhead was lying, very close to shore. A place not to over look when out steelheading.
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/cgadsden/DSCF0021.jpg)
The Kingfish, the Kingfisher Bruce Bishop being presented the much coveted Ferguon and Furnell perpetual trophy by David Lamson derby chairman. Wayne Ridley is on the left donating the 3 day fishing trip to Bishop.
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/cgadsden/DSCF0024.jpg)
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Sounds like everyone had a great day!!!
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The derby winning fish was hooked the the tailout of the run i was fishing, chased it down to the next run, jumping neumerous times, at the time we estimated it at about 13-14lbs
I was tossing fly's, no hookups
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Big steel didnt catch a fish because i was doing my jinx chant all day today :-* Hah just kidding! oh yah GT i must be the bad luck charm since you guys hooked up with a fish when i wasant there. :-[ Also very nice fish chris im guessing thats your first of the seasson.
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Congratulations on your steelhead Chris. So what did you win ? Any steelhead that gets caught by a guy wearing a Make Belief hat deserved to be bonked and eaten. ;D Obviously not the smartest fish in the gene pool ;D ;D ;D ;D
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As very tired after a long day on the river, the playing and landing a steelhead I donot know how long or well written this journal will be. Excuse the spelling and grammar errors Lew and Terry that will be worse than usual. ::)
Will step back a bit to yesterday. I scouted the area I was planning to fish on derby day and as I noted in my post "Warming up for the derby" I had noticed some good looking spots and I made the decision I would spend most of my derby time there.
As it was News Years Eve I had promised my wife we would go out for dinner and then take in a show but that would be after the Leaf game. ;D The hockey game got the evening going very well and put me in a very good mood as the Leafs outclassed New Jersey rolling big time crushing the team from Hell. This victory was with a good part of the Leaf team crippled with injuries.
As the show my wife wanted to see started soon after the completion of the hockey game we headed for Abbotsford and the show, dinner would have to wait. More winning as admission was only a fiver each and free popcorn as well, New Years Eve special. ;D As we settled in for the show more winning as a usher comes in and says we have won some prizes for sitting close to a lucky marked seat. We won a T- shirt, a hat (Not a Leaf one ???) and two movie tickets. Maybe we won because we were the only one at this particular show. ;D ;D I ask my wife what is this show you have brought me to as no one else is here, the usher says some have walked out on it on previous screenings. ???
I tell my wife we will have our own private screening and it will be like when we went to our first movie, a drive in theatre 40 years ago. ;D ;D
It was not the worse show I have seen and anyway my wife picked it. I thought maybe there may be some fishing in it as it was called Wolf Creek but there was none of that, enough said.
With the horror movie done with and my wife clinging close we walked to the car in a hurry then off to dinner. Entering the place they said it was a News Years Bash and wanted $99 each. ??? I said anywhere you could seat us just for dinner which the waiter was able to do. I decided in keeping with a fishing tone for the weekend I had halibut to appease the fish gods for tomorrow. The band playing was even in a fishing mode playing Mack the Knife about a shark isn't it?
With diiner completed the drive home was like driving down the middle of a stream as the rain was just pelting down. What would the river be like in the morning I wondered.
Arriving home I watched the highlights of the Leaf game on several channels while putting on 110 yards of line on the reel. I then saw the old year disappear and the new one come in before finally getting to bed.
5 o'clock came too early but I was on the road by 5:15 searching for a Tim Hortons, darn all closed so headed for the Fish and Game Clubhouse. I had told David I would give him a hand punching tickets hence the early hour.
Before my arrival at 6 am at the clubhouse I checked the water with my torch and saw the water was perfect. ;D
On entering the clubhouse a number I already see a number of anxious anglers there including dead head waiting to have their tickeys punched ffor the shotgun start.other like me were buying their tickets. I had to settle for the coffee there, not like Tims but better than nothing. Spent the next 30 minutes selling tickets, joking and chatting with the crowd that grew to around 30 or so. Some good reports as Gwyn had been into 5 already this year and heard later Dale had 3 yesterday including a hatchery. What was with me only a chum in 4 trips. Also I have a dinner for 4 bet with Gwyn that he won last year for the first hatchery, cost me $150 as took the Master along for the dinner. Glad the two Gwyn had landed out of the 5 he had hooked were wild. What is with these guys not telling me before about these fish. I tell my stories successful or not on FWR, maybe that is what they are afraid of. ;D ;D Does not bother me as life is too short for that and if we can help some young anglers catch fish so much the better.
With the clock chimming at 6:30 we punch the tickets and in about 5 minutes the place is deserted. Gwyn joins the throng heading to that unknown hot spot that could cost me another $150 if he hits that hatchery. I just relaxe as 45 minutes to fishing time. Gwyn appears back at the clubhouse 5 minutes or so after leaving with Martin in tow " Saw headlights were I was going, will wait a bit" Gwyn says.
Around 7:15 I head for the door, so does Gwyn, maybe he thinks I am going to his hot spot. ;D ;D
My hot spot is Tims for a coffee and a muffin. ;D See two fishers there, chat a bit with them. One of them is a flyfisher and he tells me he has one on the fly already. Well done I tell him.
With my coffee companion along I head to try a small spot just above the Crossing before going to the real hot spot.
On the first cast there I miss some thing, prawn tail gone, a few more cast down again but nothing. What is it? A few more cast I hook it, a small trout or whitefish that falls off before I land it. At least they like prawn tails. I try for 10 minutes more and then head to another spot just above. I try casting to the far side to a riffle and get a terrible rats nest that takes me 15 minutes to untangle. >:(
Enought of this spot, time to get serious as I head to the Leaf Mobile.
Part Two to follow, need a break
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Well Chris, this is probably going to get some slag, but hey, I'm still at 799!! I just wanted to say that it was nice meeting you today!! ;D Also great job on the fish!! Overall, it was a great day, with some great people!! I was also nice to hook another real Steely, even if the hook did slip out at the shore, so it wasn't as bad as Searun made it sound. :o ;D ;D ;) At least I got a real nice look at her. They are an awesome beast aren't they Chris!! Well, now I guess that I should go back to my self induced celibacy from posting!! ::) :P But fear not, on Tuesday I will look after that!! ;D If not Tuesday, then Wednesday!! ;D
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Congrats chris...nice fish
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On arriving at the spot I want to fish I park near a dwelling so as to maybe discourage one of those car break in guys.
I see a few anglers in the area as I fish spot number 1. Most anglers I guess are up river where it seems most of the fish are being caught. Spot number 1 yeilds 0. Head for spot #2, 5 minutes down the trail, meet a fellow and he says he has heard of one fish taken somewhere in the vacinity. Arriving at spot #2 I see two anglers fishing there. They seem to be fence posting in so try above and below them, nothing.
See Brandon down in the fence run and I work the island just above him and something takes the Maple Leaf drennan float down. I motion to Brandon I had a take of something. Whatever it is it will not come back, will try it on the way back.
Brandon has left his spot so I try it and get buried 2 times but on bury number 3 I find it is only a snag grabbing my prawn tail offering. I break off but retain the drennan. ;D I head down to spots #3, 4, 5 , 6, and 7 but nothing not even a snag. I check the watch, I have 1 hour 30 minutes of fishing time left. Before heading back upstream I talk to Jon on the other side of the river he says he has missed 1 and there is 4 weighed in so far. That sound pretty poor so what are my chances I begin to wonder if only 4 fish for 300 or so fishers.
On the walk up back to spot #2 phone home, phone the Master to see if he is on the river but he is too busy to talk as he is trap shooting. Phone CEJ and his partner beak o begone who has just had a fish chase his prawn tail right to the beach while reeling in. He then misses it twice after that. Looks like is name fits him perfectly. ;D ;D
I arrive at spot number 2A (Brandon's spot) and find that darn snag again. This time everything including the drennan is gone. :'( >:( I retie up quickly as it is around 12:50. I leave the snag spot and head to were I though I had maybe missed a fish on the way down. I work through it and then work up again but nothing.
The tail section of the prawn tail has fallen off, hence it spins a bit and is twisting the line under the drennan and it catchs the toothpick on some casts so the float goes downstream on a bit of an angle. Not good. Just before I am ready to head out, back to the truck the float is going downstream near the drop off, not far off shore. Line caught under the float again, not a good drift. But then something triggers my senses, it is acting funny, part under but not completly, hard to describe to be honest. I strike, yes there he is I say as the fish realizes it is hooked and starts to take line. I see the drennan is cocked sideways as it rips through the water, hope this will not in some way break the line. I signal to Jon below me in the next run that I have one on but I am sure he has already seen it. Experienced anglers are always watching, not wanting to miss anything. ;D Sometime that can cost you if you are looking away at the time of a take, it has happened to me too ::)
The fish fights well and finally the float corrects itself and about the same time I see it is a hatchery, is it a derby contender I wonder as I have no idea what the largest one is. The last report from Jon was 4 so maybe I will have a chance at a prize. The fish tires and I try to pull it up on the riffle so I can get it on its side. The water is too deep and the fish retains her balance and swims up the riffle right under my feet, I have to do some fancy dancing so it does not tangle in my feet. I can see it is hooked fairly well but you never know. Thats what makes it a challange to land these wonderful gamefish from trying to find them in the first place then hook one and then actually land it.
I ease the hen fish back into the deeper water and repeat the process and this time I find some shallower parts of the riffle and she flips over to her side this time where I am able to grab her around the head and take her to the gravel bar. The time is 1:04. Time to mark the license, a snap of the fish and a 10 minute walk back to the vehicle.
I arrive at the derby headquaters with 10 minutes to spare and find there is 12 other fish now and I am no where near the top but I am more than satisfied to have caught one on derby day.
I receive congratulations from many and good natured ribbing from others. Gwyn has nothing, Dale is no where to be seen so I guess he got nothing. ;D Thats what happens if you catch too many before derby day. ;D ;D I am reminded by someone Gwyn will be buying me that dinner for 4 or is it 6. ;D Actually in the excitment I had forgot about that. I am told Martin who went with Gwyn was into 5 including a keeper. I guess Gwyn is a better guide than fisherman. ;D
Sandy weighs my fish at 10 pounds 2 ounces and Lew snaps a picture of the happy angler. Maxine my wife comes too to snap a picture or two for the family records.
I am approached by Bruce Bishop who got the Kingfish that is good 3 pounds bigger than mine. As I am doing the story for the Chilliwack Progress I interview him and get some good info. Last year he got the smallest steelhead the only hatchery he has caught in the derby after about 30 trys. Now a year later he gets the Kingfish. He tells me he got it on his second cast of the day and did not start fishing until around 9:30. That proves you can catch a fish any time of the day as I did too.
The prize presentations take place and I am tied for 6th as 5 of the fish were in the 10 pound range.
I choose a fishing vest and I am ribbed that it is too small for me. One for the grandchildren I tell them.
I was very pleased to meet a number of new and old members from FWR including birdman and his dad. It is just great to see dads like birdman's father taking their young people fishing. He is so keen about fishing as his posts show and I am sure he will become an excellent fisherman in the years ahead if he isn't already one. Of course meeting my opponent from Sport Chat, Big Steel was another highlight of the day. I am Rolling, rolling rolling right along ;D ;D ;D now BS and FA. ;D
I snap some pictures of trhe winner to go with the article, finally some excellent food from the clubhouse kitchen that Bill and others had cooked. It sure tasted good after going all day on that muffin and coffee. Personally the last 24 hours was a good way to end 2005 and greet 2006 with some good times with family and all the good people we meet from FWR and other fishing forums. To me those are more rewarding than catching that derby fish today althought it sort of makes up for the 3 I lost 2 derbies ago.
That concludes another successful derby with the proceeds going to help preserve fish habitat, thanks to all that helped out including those that supported the derby committee by entering it. Some times derbies like this take flack from some anglers but the way I look at it these are people that are doing things that will help our fish in the future and preserve fishing opportunities for us and our chidren to enjoy the sport of fishing. Without these people that really care about our environment and all the life that live in it, big buisness and in some cases big government will destroy more than they have already.
Bedtime now as I think I have that steelhead itch now, see you tomorrow morning at the place I posted the picture of where I caught the fish at today. Or did I catch it there, of course I did as fisherman never lie do they. ;D ;D ;D
Happy New Year to all
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Nice fish and enjoyable read as always!! ;D
Well done!! ;D
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Congrats on the Steel Chris! Once again a spectacular read as well. I was out today,but did not enter th derby. I saw a total of three landed, as well as hearing of a few more. This next week should be good!
Leaping Steely
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the waters at the ranger run were pretty high but some what good visibility. not very many fish are around yet though. It is pretty much the same behind the on the way. nice water ;D
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thanks for the report keep em comin
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Does anyone know where the majority of the fish where caught?
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Beakobegone. We all miss a few fish without them coming back. Actually, I don't know how that fish didn't hook itself. I was moving downstream and reeling in when I felt something, I figured I touched a rock on the way in. I looked and here's a big boil, this fish has followed the prawn into about 1 foot of water and it grabs the bait, I pull and yank it away from what could have been my chance at fame, my crowning glory but no, I'm still a loser... My name is Bederko by the way. It really was a great day of fishing and visiting. We were at the clubhouse when Chris strutted in, blood on his hands and chest out with his fish! I think he felt the love as almost everyone there knew him and was offering congratulations. We had a good time sitting around chatting and meeting or at least recognizing alot of the guys from here (Birdman, Pistol Pete, Buck, Big Steel and SeaRun). Just thought I'd give another little derby story. Ken Edmonston is one of the coffee shop locals who fishes all the time, he was out and weighed in a fish, about 9 pounds I think. He was just walking along the river headed to his next spot when he thought he saw a boil which looked like a fish. Not knowing what kind of fish, he flipped a cast into the shallow water and the rest is history. Proves that you always need to have your eyes and ears open when you're on the river...
2:40 - Long time no see, I guess I might see you at the cleanup? You and CEJ and I should go for a fish sometime...
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Does anyone know where the majority of the fish where caught?
Majority I would say were upper river, we saw 3 and hooked 1, so it would be as good a place as any.
BTW Why am I only at 793 posts now, someone erased some!!!
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We felt sorry for you, don't want to wait until April to see you posting again, so... ;)
Usually some threads that are over a few weeks old and irrelevant (such as, river condition on a specific day, etc) are taken off the website to open up more free space. :)
Hey, look who's this month's fishy shot? :o
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I fished the ranger, limit hole and peach without any success. I saw 2 hooked on the upper but they both broke free.
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Wow, good job Chris, you really know how to fish!
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Beakobegone. We all miss a few fish without them coming back. Actually, I don't know how that fish didn't hook itself. I was moving downstream and reeling in when I felt something, I figured I touched a rock on the way in. I looked and here's a big boil, this fish has followed the prawn into about 1 foot of water and it grabs the bait, I pull and yank it away from what could have been my chance at fame, my crowning glory but no, I'm still a loser... My name is Bederko by the way. It really was a great day of fishing and visiting. We were at the clubhouse when Chris strutted in, blood on his hands and chest out with his fish! I think he felt the love as almost everyone there knew him and was offering congratulations. We had a good time sitting around chatting and meeting or at least recognizing alot of the guys from here (Birdman, Pistol Pete, Buck, Big Steel and SeaRun). Just thought I'd give another little derby story. Ken Edmonston is one of the coffee shop locals who fishes all the time, he was out and weighed in a fish, about 9 pounds I think. He was just walking along the river headed to his next spot when he thought he saw a boil which looked like a fish. Not knowing what kind of fish, he flipped a cast into the shallow water and the rest is history. Proves that you always need to have your eyes and ears open when you're on the river...
2:40 - Long time no see, I guess I might see you at the cleanup? You and CEJ and I should go for a fish sometime...
Plan to be at the cleanup yup! Sure'd enjoy a fishing trip!! I think it's harder to get dads with kid's schedules to match for an outing over actually hooking one!! Let's put that to the test and soon. ;D
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We'd better go soon. If your pops can catch one in the derby, they must be jumping on the beach! ;) ;)
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Hey, look who's this month's fishy shot? :o
What are you talking about?? I haven't seen it yet!!
OK I saw it!! To what do I owe this honor?? :-[ :D Thanks!! Also, what you have no faith in me?? I'm pretty sure i was going to get one iin the next day or so!! ::) ;D ;D
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don't get cocky big steel or i will have to put another curse on you,lol
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Not cocky, confident!! You have to have confidence!! ;D ;D ;D I will get one, just don't know when!! ;D ;)
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So it sounds like everyone enjoyed a good derby, derby chairman Dave Lamson should be congratulated for all the work he put in to make this happen again. :) For those of you who did not weigh in a fish, you'll be happy to know that your entry fee was not wasted, as all money raised from the derby will go back into habitat enhancement on the Chilliwack River. If you haven't had enough derby stories/braggings, you can always come out to the next river cleanup on the Vedder and hear Chris talk about his derby catch. ;) Info of the cleanup is at http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=9259.0
Big Steel, uh oh, only one more post to go before you can't post again for awhile... ;D Better save it for something important. ;)
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I think Big Steel is going fishing today so I think he will get his steelhead and start posting again. ;D
I have found another hot spot yesterday and going out early today for fish number 2 of the year. ;D ;D
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No need to worry, mission accomplished!! ;D ;D
Big Steel, uh oh, only one more post to go before you can't post again for awhile... ;D Better save it for something important. ;)
I believe that I may have used that post for something good if memory serves me!! ;D ;D ;)
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If you are interested in the story I wrote for the Chilliwack Progress with an interview with the winner Bruce Bishop go to http://www.theprogress.com/ and click through the links starting with sports.
Also a picture of the Bishop, Lamson, Ridley and of course the King Fish.
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Nice write up chris!
DaN
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Nice report Chris. Two obervations for next year's Derby fishers:
- make sure you go to bed early and have a nice dream the night before the next Derby. LOL ;D
and - 9 out of the 13 winners are from Chilliwack, you just can't beat the locals in their home river. ;D