Rivers Fishing Derby pays out $3,200

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Published on Wednesday, March 23, 2016

By Hall Sveistrup

Press Reporter

Deteriorating ice conditions did not prevent 162 adults and 28 youth (12 years and under) from congregating on Lake Wahtopanah for the ninth annual ice fishing derby. It was hosted by Rivers & Area Game & FIsh Association on Saturday, March 12. Some changes for this event consisted of elimination of the $10,000 cash prize for a tagged northern pike and the exclusion of prizes for walleye and perch. Instead, cash prizes totalling $3,200 were awarded to the captors of the 10 longest of the 70 northern pike caught, measured and released. Consequently, the derby was dubbed the 2016 Northern Pike Classic.

The following is a list of the prize winners, the prize amounts and the length of each fish caught: Jeff Hall, Brandon, $1,000, 84.8 centimetres; Eric McArthur, Brandon, $750, 82.8 centimetres; Michael Jay, Rivers, $500, 82.4 centimetres; Jerry Drul, Brandon, $250, 81.4 centimetres; Cody Sedgwick, Rivers, $200, 81.2 centimetres; Cory Sedgwick, Rivers, $100, 80.6 centimetres; Robin Jay, Rivers, $100, 77.4 centimetres; Jordan Froese, Rivers, $100, 74.4 centimetres; Tyler Spring, Oak River, $100, 74.2 centimetres; Paige Allen, Wheatland, $100, 67.8 centimetres.

Upon registration, each youth participant received an embossed goodie bag which later could be used as a lunch container. Inside the bad he/she discovered an ice-fishing rod and reel combo, a coloured jig with a rubber body, a fishing colouring book, and a peel-and-stick measuring tape. In addition, trophies were awarded for the three longest pike snagged by the youngsters. The winners were Carter Lelond, Rivers, 62.2 centimetres and Nolan Perreault of Rivers, who won both second and third with measurements of 60.2 and 57.6 centimetres.

The winners of $20 gift certificates redeemable at any Rivers area merchant were Cory Sedgwick, Paige Allen, Michael Jay, Garth Hodgson (Brandon) and Jerry Drul. The certificates were donated by Rivers and District Chamber of Commerce and were awarded to those who caught a fish nearest to a predetermined hidden time.