The 70th annual Boxing Day Redder River Steelhead Derby organized by the Chilliwack Fish & Game Protective Association is in the books with 331 anglers out on the Chilliwack Vedder River in quest of the Ferguson Furnell Perpetual trophy.
The anglers were treated to mild temperatures and ideal water conditions but the hatchery steelhead proved to be a scare commodity for this derby through the length of the event to the 2 PM deadline as only 7 fish were brought to the scales. However there was the usual reports of wild fish taken and fish lost, there even was a report of around a 18 pound wild taken.
When the results of the derby were tallied by derby chairman Mel Dureen and his volunteers it was angler Wade Dean, with his King fish of 12.87 pounds taking home the coveted Ferguson Furnell perpetual trophy. Dean who said he took his fish on roe had it on the scales at 10:48 so he had a few hours to pace to see if any other angler would knock him off the top rung.
The closest fish to the winner was a 11.73 pound steelhead taken by Earl Berry in second place although the first fish entered, at 9:12 by Edward Riel was .10 heavier at 11.83 pounds but an angler can only claim one prize so Berry was awarded second place.
The smallest fish taken was just over 5 pounds at a weight of 5.27 with Nelson Rodrigues the winner of that category.
Other anglers with fish were, Cameron Underhill 11.54, Steve Roseboom 9:02 pounds and Mark Dyck rounding out the anglers catching a steelhead weighing 8.69 pounds.
Many unsuccessful anglers won an array of prizes donated by supportive local stores. Club president and derby organizer Mel Dureen said "it was another successful derby with funds raised helps contribute to fish and wildlife habitat conservation projects in the coming year."
PS
Pictures to follow later when Rodney reviews what I sent him. Yes I did fish but was skunked like a lot of others but did win a derby draw prize.
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Topic: 2013 Chilliwack River Boxing Day Steelhead Derby (Read 13243 times)