The Estevan Wildlife Federation (EWF) had 49 teams participating in their 16th annual Opening Day Walleye Classic at Boundary Dam on Sunday. The sun showed up later in the morning to make the first day of the fishing season even better for Saskatchewan anglers.
“It went good, the weather was a little cool this morning, but overall most teams caught their limits, so it was good,” said Michael Halirewich, fisheries chairman for the EWF who organizes the annual Walleye Classic.
About half of the fleet was from Estevan, the rest came from other places in southeast Saskatchewan within a two-hour driving distance, and one team was from Crosby, N.D.
“We have a lot of regulars that come back year after year… (And) there are always teams that are new, that never have been here before, which is nice to see,” said Halirewich.
The catch and release derby started at 7 a.m. and gave the teams of two about eight hours of fishing. According to the provincial regulations, each licensed angler on board could bring up to three fish to the shore, with each fish being at least 21 inches long.
Most teams came back with six fish in their baskets. Team No. 4 of Rene Sehn and Shane Smith caught the biggest fish of 5.88 pounds and also won the trophy for the heaviest basket, which weighed 16.76 pounds. Last year this team finished sixth with a total basket weight of 12.14 pounds.
The second place trophy for the basket of 16.42 pounds went to the American team 39, Cody and Richard Roland. However, these two guys ended up paying a high price, as part of Richard Roland’s finger was sliced off when he pinched it between the boat and the dock. He had to rush back to the hospital in Crosby.
The third place winner was team 8, Ralph Smart and Kevin Tannahill, with a weight of 15.28 pounds. In 2018, this team came in 25th with 9.84 pounds in their basket.
Team 32, David Blaise and Devin Draper, claimed the fourth heaviest basket with the weight 14.42 pounds.
Fifth place went to the team 41, Glen Boehme and Rhea Bertwistle, with a weight of 14.04 pounds.
Six-place winner, team 1, Blaine Millions and Pat Slater, with a weight of 13.84 pounds, left before the end of the day. Last year they came in 26th with 9.8-pound basket.
There were 35 teams that entered the tournament within a tournament this year, and the first three winners were the same as in the main competition.
A lot of people helped and participated to keep the derby going.
“Tournaments are based around the volunteers and I’m very thankful for all volunteers we get… And the fishermen, of course, with a lot of them driving a long way, with the price of fuel and stuff nowadays, it’s quite a commitment for them too,” said Halirewich.
The money, raised from participation, 50/50 and raffles, will help the EWF to finish the clubhouse at the Boundary Dam, which is planned to be achieved this year. Part of it will go towards maintaining other facilities.
The next fishing derby in Estevan will be June 16, when participants will actually be able to proudly hold their harvest in their hands, as it will be the Boundary Dam Bassmaster Tournament.
