Work on the 20th Annual Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Derby, which took place this past Sunday, at the end of the wharf at Marine Park, started a few days after last year’s derby was over.
It’s a lot of work to put on such an event. A lot of people are involved, especially behind the scene. I have always been impressed how the different organizations, service groups and businesses come together in our community to help support the many events that go on.
I know that over the years, the Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Derby has become one of the most popular events in the Shuswap. It really is pretty neat to see all those young anglers, with their families, sitting along the wharf hoping to catch the big one. There is always a lot of excitement as well as anticipation.
This year, both the weather and the fish co-operated and there were a lot of happy young anglers who made their way up to the weigh-in station.
My only regret is that on the morning of the actual derby I had to be in the East Kootenay, at Fort Steele Heritage Town, where I am currently the Storyteller in Residence. I knew that things were in good hands though. Salmon Arm Recreation Services general manager Donna Flatman, along with Aly Vann, a perennial volunteer and winner of the derby in her day, and Aaron Alcott, who has been bringing his kids to the derby for years, handled things in my absence. I don’t think anyone even noticed that I wasn’t there.
During the awards ceremony which followed the derby, Sadi Weed was presented with the Westside Stores Trophy, a rod and reel outfit and a $50 Westside Stores gift certificate.
Sebastian Sayers landed a 1,580-gram whopper to secure first place for himself in the Largest Fish category. Sayers received the Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union – W. J. (Bill) Murray Memorial Trophy, an IM-6 graphite fly rod and reel outfit, and, will get to take his whole family on an all expenses paid weekend fishing trip to a lodge which will include accommodations, boat and motor rental and $100 worth of groceries from Askews Foods. Tyson Campbell placed second in the Largest Fish category, while Ben Morrison took third place.
A determined and focused Cadence Tulak caught a total of 11 fish to take First Place in the Most Fish category. She walked away with the City of Salmon Arm Trophy, a rod and reel outfit and a one year pass to the SASCU Recreation Centre swimming pool. Throughout the morning there was quite a rivalry between Coyen Koppi, who placed second with seven fish, and his sister Jayda Koppi who placed third with six fish. Jayda also placed third last year in the Most Fish category. Something tells me she will be a contender next year as well.
River Richly and Ailyn Page caught and landed fish closest to predetermined secret Hidden Weights and each received a brand new shiny mountain bike from Canadian Tire.
Three parents each won Parent Appreciation draw prizes of $100 worth of groceries from Askew’s Foods – not bad for just for bring their kids to the derby.
As with most events in this town, the derby is dependant on a lot of volunteers. I take my hat off to all the volunteers, and sponsors, who helped make this year’s derby another success. Donna Flatman and I have worked together for 15 years to put the derby together. She truly is tireless. As for Vann and Alcott, well I simply cannot say how proud I am of them. Vann also made all the wood burnt trophies and plaques that were handed out to the winners. She’s one talented young lady.
Even though I was unable to be there for this year’s derby, I must say it made me feel pretty good Sunday, knowing the derby was in such good hands. I also know for sure that as soon as I get back to Salmon Arm in September, we’ll be getting started on next year’s derby. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is going to prevent me from being there for the 21st Annual Salmon Arm Kid’s Fishing Derby. For one thing, I want to be able to see the fruits of all our labour, and for another, well, it’s just way too much fun actually being there.
