As it has for close to a decade, the Manitoba Métis Federation local chapter held its annual Father’s Day Fish Derby on June 19.
As the number of boats on the lake and at docks attested, it was the event to take in and a great way for kids to spend quality time with dear old dad on his day.
This year’s event was exceptionally successful, with both attendance and fish landed increasing over several past years. The seventh annual tournament saw 174 people take part and in the process catch 166 fish.
The tournament is hidden length in nature, so its winners are based on the luck of the draw. How the derby works is entrants catch their fish and photograph it with an entry given out at registration. Once any fish is caught and released, they return the form and the time of entry is noted. When the lengths are drawn, the person who has caught the fish closest to that length wins. In the event of a tie, the fish caught at the earlier time wins.
Before announcing derby winners, the Snow Lake Beach Enhancement Committee held its fundraising draw. Winners were Shelby Compton, Ryan Zollen of Flin Flon and Wanda Huff.
After the fundraising draws were complete, the first hidden length draw of 38.5 cm was made to determine first prize in the event.
There weren’t any entries that size; however, 10 people caught fish measuring 38 cm. The earliest time any of these was caught was at 12:41 pm by Julianne Perret, (Amanda’s daughter and Ernie Guiboche’s granddaughter). She took home first prize for her prowess with rod and reel.
Next, the second place hidden length was drawn. It was 55 cm, but with no one entering a fish that size, organizers went to their sheets and the closest number, without going over, was 53.5 cm. Calyn Lobert caught the earlier of the two fish this size, at 12:34 pm, and she took home second prize.
The third place hidden length measurement was 52.5 cm, and the closest entered size to this, without going over, was 52 cm. There were four fish of this length caught and Greg Foord landed the earliest at 12:41 pm. For likely the smallest fish Foord caught all year, he took home third prize.
The fourth place hidden length was 29.5 cm. Again, there were no entries this size and closest size caught to this, without going over, was 29 cm. There were seven of this length caught; however, there ended up being a tie on time. Rather than settling things with an arm wrestle, sword fight or a dance off, Gator Eastman and Carson Yoder were each awarded a prize.
Of the 174 entries, eight people did not catch a fish. Their names were all placed together, one was drawn, and a consolation prize was awarded to Jason Yoder.
Once again, it was great to see some young folks take prizes in this event… and always nice to see them out and involved.
My Take on Snow Lake is published Fridays.
