Darren Whitbread was the big winner at the first-ever Flinty Fishing Derby this weekend, walking away with $21,000 for the biggest fish of the day.
At 11 am sharp on Sunday, April 12, 570 anglers dropped their line off the shore of Sally’s Beach, hoping to catch a tagged jackfish worth $25,000, among other prize fish.
The big guy wasn’t reeled in, but nine other fish were caught during the three-hour allotted time frame.
“I’m very surprised,” said co-chair Tim Smith, who expected to see more fish caught during the derby.
In preparation for the derby, three jackfish were caught, tagged and released last week from the exact location the derby was held. These included the $25,000 prize jackfish.
Surprisingly, not one jackfish was caught in the tournament, said Smith. The nine fish that were reeled in were all trout and burbot.
Tim and his father, Glenn Smith, co-chaired the derby. They were pleased with Sunday’s big event.
“We had 500 paid entries and 70 corporate. I think we could build off that,” said Tim, who was pleased to see many travelling from out of town for the tournament.
Anglers ranged in age and experience from children to grandparents and travelled from as far as Calgary, AB, and Fort Frances, Ont., to drop their lines for the Flinty Fishing Derby.
The Smiths worked around The Pas’ Bill Bannock Fishing Derby, which ran Saturday, and saw many of the same anglers participating in both tournaments.
Tim didn’t have finalized numbers as of press time, but he hoped to see about $20,000 raised for the Rotary Club of Flin Flon through ticket sales and the 50/50 draw.
“And all of that goes directly back into the community,” he said.
It’s too early to know for next year, but Tim says he hopes to see the event take place again.
“I think it was well received from the crowd,” he said. “It will have to have a vote from the [Rotary Club] members, but I can’t see them not wanting to do it if the two guys who did the most work are willing to do the work again.”
The Bill Bannock Ice Fishing Derby is a tried-and-true event with anglers travelling from all over Manitoba as well as other provinces to participate.
And while the Flinty Fishing Derby saw plenty of out-of-towners eager to drop a line, Tim says the tournaments themselves are completely different.
“It’s a totally different atmosphere,” he said. “It’s more family-oriented here. It’s a difference of a Saturday and a Sunday event.”
Next year’s Bill Bannock is scheduled for April 9 in The Pas, which, if the club votes to hold the Flinty Fishing Derby again, would place Flin Flon’s derby on April 10, 2016.
Prizes
Flin Flon’s Whitbread reeled in the biggest trout of the day, at 75.25 centimetres, to win the $21,000 prize. Isaac Friesen, of Kilarney, MB, came in second place with his fish measuring 70.5 centimetres. Friesen won a 14-foot Lund boat, 15-horsepower Mercury motor and a trailer.
Angie Masko of Yorkton picked up third place with a fish measuring 70.25 centimetres. She won a 400 Polaris Sportsman Quad.
Cranberry Portage’s Barrett Anderson ranked fourth in the final standings with a fish measuring 68 centimetres, earning a Polaris generator.
Patrick Denis, of Thompson, picked up fifth place with his 67.5-centimetre fish and return flights from Flin Flon or The Pas to Winnipeg.
Creighton’s Jodi Suski earned $1,000 in cash and a $500 gift certificate to McMunn and Yates with his 66-centimetre catch.
June Reed, also of Creighton, picked up $500 cash and $1,000 of product through the Investor’s Group with her 65.5-centimetre fish.
Harley Eagle of Flin Flon received $600 cash and a $400 gas gift card for his 63-centimetre catch.
Betty Highway rounded out the last of the fish caught on Sunday with a 58-centimetre fish good for a two-night vacation package for four at Baker’s Narrows Lodge.
Bill Bannock
Eddie Bear of Pukatawagan was the big winner in The Pas on Saturday with a 79-centimetre fish worth $25,000.
Bear’s catch was one of 52 caught on Clearwater Lake during the tournament.
Cranberry Portage had three top 10 finishers, with Barry Anderson reeling in second place with a 75-centimetre fish. Tiffany Anderson tied for third place with a 61-centimetre fish and also fished up ninth place with a 59-centimetre catch.
