The 17th Annual Salmon Arm Kids’ Fishing Derby, hosted by Salmon Arm Recreation and James Murray and held in conjunction with the province’s Family Fishing Weekend program, took place Sunday morning, June 16 at the end of the wharf at Marine Park under sunny skies and ideal conditions.
It did not take very long for two anglers, at opposite ends of the docks, to hook and land a fish at the same time. So a tie was declared and both Jayda Koppel and Logan Merry received First Fish honours along with a plaque and a fishing outfit.
Cadence Tulak caught the most fish (five) and received the Westside Stores Trophy, as well as a rod- and-reel outfit and a $100 gift certificate from the store. Nicole Andrews place second in the Most Fish category and Marissa Materi placed third. Both received rod-and-reel outfits and gift certificates.
Charel Venter won in the Largest Fish category and will have his name inscribed on the William J. Murray Memorial Trophy. He also received a rod-and-reel outfit, a $200 SASCU Credit Union scholarship and will be taking his whole family on an all-expenses-paid trip to a fishing lodge.
Nicholas Barbosa placed second in the Largest Fish category and received a rod-and-reel outfit as well as a $100 Rotary scholarship. Riley Beleck placed third and received rod-and-reel outfit and the CUPE scholarship.
Lanaya Edmondson and Shirtina Holman won in the Hidden Weight category sponsored by Canadian Tire and received brand new mountain bikes and helmets.
Aly Vann received a special Girls In Outdoor Sports Award, sponsored by Sheena Haines, co-owner of Westside Stores, and received a $100 gift certificate from the store.
Vann, who is now 20-years-old and lives in Kelowna, was a former winner in two separate categories at the derby. She returned Sunday to help mentor young anglers.
A total of 238 young anglers participated in the derby with an estimated 600 people taking part, including parents, grandparents, guardians, more than 30 volunteers, six lifeguards and event organizers.
Derby organizers say they are already planning and looking forward to next year’s event.
