The Alameda Fishing Derby was once again a popular event, as 244 adults and 48 youths entered the 22nd annual competition June 30 on Grant Devine Lake.
Prizes were handed out to the entrants in the adult and youth categories who caught the largest northern pike. Clint Harkins finished in top spot in the adults at 16.8 pounds, and took home $2,000 in prize money. His winning northern pike measured 40 inches in length.
Paul Skoczylas was second at 15.46 pounds, and won $1,000. His fish was 39.75 inches long.
Rounding out the prize money were: Jordon Hannah finished third with a fish that weighed 8.64 pounds, Scott Brimmer was fourth (7.60 pounds), Riley Martel was fifth (6.96 pounds), Kevin Firth was sixth (6.70 pounds), Deven Carriere was seventh (6.38 pounds) and Keegan Wahl was eighth (6.12 pounds).
There was a tie for first place in the youth division, with Bryar Solomon and Spencer Copeland each catching a northern pike that weight 5.02 pounds.
Kenyan Kinder was third with a 3.60-pound fish, followed by Jaeger Allum at 3.48 pounds and Rhyla Hildebrand at 3.40 pounds.
Sylvia Gibson, who is part of the organizing committee, said there were some nice fish caught during the day, but some of them were pickerel, and only northern pike were being weighed and measured.
People could weigh in up to five fish, but the prizes were handed out for the largest fish, and not for cumulative weight.
Proceeds from the fishing derby will be directed towards Alameda’s community rink. Gibson didn’t have a figure on how much money was raised for the rink, but she expects it will be between $20,000 and $30,000.
“I think it’s the biggest fundraiser that the Alameda rink has annually,” said Gibson. “There’s a core group that sees the benefit in it. We ask for the help of the community. The whole community really does help with that.”
Last year $650,000 of renovations were completed on the arena, she said.
A barbecue beef supper was held at the arena after the tournament, when the prizes for the fishing derby were handed out. A raffle and a silent auction were held, with items that were donated by people in the community.
Gibson said the number of participants was down a little this year, which she said could be due to the tournament happening on a long weekend. Some people couldn’t attend because they had other commitments.
But it was a good day, the weather was nice and the anglers had a good time.
