Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on December 23, 2015, 10:51:30 PM

Title: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Rodney on December 23, 2015, 10:51:30 PM
Here is the information of this year's Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby, thanks to Paul Dulong at Chilliwack Fish & Game Protective Association, who will be organizing it, for sending it to me. Good luck to all who will be participating this year.

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/151224-1_zpsnufzaaot.jpg)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/151224-2_zpsjlbudgun.jpg)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/151224-3_zpsyldgdmyv.jpg)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/151224-4_zpsrbpgx691.jpg)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/151224-5_zpshxjow46f.jpg)
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: sbc hris on December 26, 2015, 04:01:27 PM
Does anyone know the results?
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Every Day on December 26, 2015, 04:10:23 PM
6 fish weighed in, largest was over 15 pnds (can't remember the exact 15.xxx).
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: sbc hris on December 26, 2015, 04:37:41 PM
Thanks! ;D
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: mikeyman on December 26, 2015, 05:03:15 PM
Had my chance at a small 6-8 lb range steelhead. Lost near shore. Also got 2 hatch rainbows. A 6 lb dolly/bull and missed 3 other float downs.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: stsfisher on December 26, 2015, 05:04:31 PM
6 fish weighed in, largest was over 15 pnds (can't remember the exact 15.xxx).

I was told the guy who weighed this fish may not have had a steelhead licence?
This was a good source, but they could have been mistaken.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Twitchy on December 26, 2015, 05:41:08 PM
How the hek! My brother, my friend, and I, fished first to last light, lower, mid, upper, then lower again! Tried pool after pool after pool with roe and spoons.. Not a sniff!! I mean I know some days are off but man, what are we doing wrong??

The only thing I caught was a seagull.. Seriously.. I scared it with a cast and it flew into my line eventually hooking it self on my spoon. Two guys down river watched me like a hawk as I reeled it in and pooped the hook out.. Haha.. Managed not to get pecked..

I covered about that much water with no luck myself, I'm pretty sure a lot of people were in the same boat.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: bobby b on December 26, 2015, 05:49:05 PM
Yup ... Me me a bud fished all day ... Threw roe, jigs, worms ... you name it...

Nuthing ...nada ..zip


River looked great though...


Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: chris gadsden on December 26, 2015, 05:51:52 PM
Does anyone know the results?
Story coming up on another thread.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: chris gadsden on December 26, 2015, 05:54:11 PM
I was told the guy who weighed this fish may not have had a steelhead licence?
This was a good source, but they could have been mistaken.
The weighmaster always checks that all licenses and tickets are on hand when the fish is brought in.
Title: 2015 Boxing Day Steelhead Derby Results
Post by: chris gadsden on December 26, 2015, 06:08:15 PM
The 72nd Annual Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby sponsored by the Chilliwack Fish & Game Protective Association is in the books for another year. The 338 anglers were greeted with a perfect crisp morning as they hit the river at first light. With a dusting of snow as well added to the derby as snow and steelhead fishing go hand in hand, it has been a while since we have had a white Christmas and snow on the ground for derby day.

As well the water conditions were excellent which had been a bit of a concern by the fishers because of the recent high water and a clay slide on the Slesse Slide a few days ago. As well some other slides had opened up as well by the high water events this year causing less than ideal fishing at times, especially when rain pounded down on the slides.

At the close of the derby only 6 fish were on the board with Brandon Eddy capturing the much coveted Ferguson Furnell Trophy with his 15.34 steelhead that he landed around 9 o’clock. Eddy’s fish was the largest to win the derby the last 10 years. A side note, the largest to win the derby ever was in 1970 when Walt Engle took a trophy fish, 21.30 pounds. The smallest to capture the top rung was a 9.13 pound fish way back in 1942. The average weight since the derby began 72 years ago is 14.37 pounds.

Shawn French took second spot, nearly 6 pounds back of Eddy’s winner as it hit the scales at 9.77 pounds. French took his fish less than an hour before the 2 PM deadline.

An 8.68 fish gave Daniel Ryan third spot as well as the first fish brought to the scales at, 8:28 AM.
Brandon Brown’s 8.21 pounder and Devin Noel with a 7.82 pound steelhead took 4th and 5th spot respectively.

The most popular winner was the junior winner, Ryder Gienow as he was greeted by loud applause from his fellow anglers as he received his awards. Ryder took the junior class with a 7.11 pound steelhead that also gave him the smallest steelhead of the derby, his wide smile told it all. His dad Wade has taught Ryan well as Wade had won the derby twice in the last while, in back to back years, 2007 and 2008.

Many other prizes were won by others in the derby on a draw basics.

Paul Dulong the derby chairman was very pleased with the derby, not only by the turnout but by all the local merchants that contribute prizes to the derby each year. “This is one of our major fundraisers of the year and helps fund fish and wildlife habitat conservation” Dulong added.

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/IMG_4336_zpsostse2sl.jpg)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/IMG_4340_zps6dklkb25.jpg)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2015/IMG_4352_zpsntwxxxlq.jpg)

Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Noahs Arc on December 26, 2015, 06:14:34 PM
How the hek! My brother, my friend, and I, fished first to last light, lower, mid, upper, then lower again! Tried pool after pool after pool with roe and spoons.. Not a sniff!! I mean I know some days are off but man, what are we doing wrong??

The only thing I caught was a seagull.. Seriously.. I scared it with a cast and it flew into my line eventually hooking it self on my spoon. Two guys down river watched me like a hawk as I reeled it in and pooped the hook out.. Haha.. Managed not to get pecked..

Welcome to steelhead season friend.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: SilverChaser on December 26, 2015, 06:15:32 PM
Not a sniff for me either. If you are hooking into fish, you are doing something right  ;D
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: bigblockfox on December 26, 2015, 06:18:23 PM
3 well fed smolts and one 3 pound bull for the group of 3 today. no steel. water looks A+, maybe a little high for my liking.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Steelhead Derby Results
Post by: Dave on December 26, 2015, 06:38:30 PM
Good report Chris, thanks :)
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Steelhead Derby Results
Post by: Nicolas The Fisherman on December 26, 2015, 06:43:00 PM
Yes thanks for the report! Your guess of six fish being brought to the scales was exact
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Steelhead Derby Results
Post by: chris gadsden on December 26, 2015, 06:44:42 PM
Yes thanks for the report! Your guess of six fish being brought to the scales was exact
Lucky I guess.  ;D ;D I have more pictures on the Fraser Valley Salmon Society FB if you are interested will have a vid up here later.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Every Day on December 26, 2015, 11:46:56 PM
Yea, Kitty missed 2 good float downs first run on roe, and then we switched to spoons.

She landed a wild coho, I landed a rainbow around 16 inches, and my buddy landed a 5 pound bull. Nice day to be out, water was perfect. Can't believe there weren't more fish weighed in.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: nosey on December 27, 2015, 07:32:39 AM
I won the 50/50 draw at the clubhouse after the derby :) almost as good as getting a bite. My buddy and I saw 2 fish landed on the other across the river from us so we weren't entirely in the wrong section of river, it was a nice day to be out fishing anyhow I couldn't think of anyplace I'd sooner be.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: chris gadsden on December 27, 2015, 07:41:17 AM
The second place's  "Steelhead Story" I filmed https://youtu.be/u0CguGHjjV8
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: fishallday on December 27, 2015, 02:49:21 PM
man these steelhead are a sneaky bunch thats for sure been, out 8 times already for a few hours not even a bite was starting to wonder if there are even fish in the river.
congrats on the few lucky enough to hook one of those beauts
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Tangles on December 27, 2015, 07:36:02 PM
Oh well, my Boxing Day didn't exactly turn out very lucky. Worked 10hrs graveyard shift the night before, tired but excited 5am I was on the highway straight after work. Then a headlight went out, got pulled over for it, then Hwy 1 was shut down at 200th St, anyway I make it to the line up at 6:30, I was happy with the fact there was such a good turn out this year, it sure looked like way more than 300 people and that combined with great river conditions it looked like it will be a busy at the scales. I personally didn't get a sniff, a small 5-6lb of something moved up away 2 feet to examine my roe but didn't commit (not my best batch of cured eggs I know, I know lol). And then on the way back my rear tire blew into pieces while driving 120 on the highway, luckily it wasn't downhill or in a curve.
Six fish is not the greatest number you could wish either, considering the number of anglers, I sure hope steelie season is not a follow up of the coho but it sure feels like it so far.
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: fishallday on December 27, 2015, 09:57:39 PM
man tough day you had
good luck in your future endeavours
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: Tangles on December 27, 2015, 11:19:28 PM
Thanks bud, appreciate it, I hope karma pays back in steel soon  :)
Title: Re: 2015 Boxing Day Vedder River Steelhead Derby
Post by: chris gadsden on December 28, 2015, 08:13:17 AM
A brief look at the derby board. https://youtu.be/-vVRVR_YmwQ