By Diana Foster
The sun was not shining, but the temperature brushed 30C for the 32nd Annual Deka Lake & District Volunteer Fire Department (DLDVFD) fishing derby, Aug. 1-2.
Fish numbers were down a little with 133 fish being reeled in; and ticket sales numbered 341.
Fish prizes were awarded to eight places in each category, and every child who caught a fish won a prize, before door prizes were drawn.
Of special note is 11-year-old Owen West who won a fishing rod for his 1 lb. 1 oz. rainbow trout. Then, a smaller child was upset because there were no fishing rods left, so Owen handed his over. What a great kid!
Of 89 lake trout, the largest, at 27 lb. 13 oz., was Reg Klinger’s of Clearwater. Bill Grisdale’s fish weighed 11 lb. 1 oz., and Mario Silva’s 9 lb. 14 oz.
First prize amongst 21 rainbow trout caught went to Diane Picton’s 2 lb. 10 oz. fish, followed by Keith Poitras whose fish weighed the same but came in later. Third prize went to Logan Ramsey’s 2 lb. 8 oz. rainbow.
Kokanee numbered 23 with first prize going to Reg Inglehart’s three-pound fish. Jason Kump’s weighed 2 lb. 11 oz., while Maris Ramsey’s weighed 2 lb. 8 oz.
The 140cc Pitster dirt bike, generously donated by Krankies Garage and Paterson Septic Service, was won by Dona Guertin of Penticton.
Visitors also enjoyed seeing a dozen or so Show ’n Shine vehicles, which had been arranged by the Deka Lake & District Ratepayers’ Association (DLDRA.)
They also brought in The Class Mates (Gail Potter, Sandy Amy and Brad Potter) to perform. The DLDRA did a roaring trade catering breakfast and supper, and voiced their appreciation for the support, as did DLDVFD.
Sunday derby
Over at Sulphurous and Hathaway lakes, 418 tickets were sold for their Aug. 2 annual fishing derby, and they weighed in 18 fish.
First prize went to Pat Nash’s 2 lb. 7 oz. kokanee. Jack Schaffer’s 3 lb. 1 oz. laker took second; and third was Maria Leblanc’s nine-ounce rainbow out of Hathaway.
Prizes for children’s pike minnow went to Jayme Johns, Tyson Blight and Nate Vernon.
The pontoon boat was won by Kathi Conway of Moosehaven Resort.
Organizers thanked everyone for their support, reported a near record attendance, and noted that children’s games and face painting really “brought the derby to life” for the youngsters.
Diana Forster is the Interlakes correspondent.