By Diana Forster
At the Deka Lake derby on July 30-31, 151 fish were reeled in, including seven rainbow trout, 56 kokanee, and 88 lake trout.
The first-place rainbow prize went to Jim Kenward for his 2 lb. 3 oz. fish; he also had the second largest at 2 lb. 2 oz.
Dennis Chamberlain’s 1 lb. 9 oz. fish earned second prize, and Chris Blackwell’s 1 lb. 6 oz rainbow came third.
The largest laker, at 15 lb. 1 oz., was reeled in by Reg Klinger. Rick Schick’s laker weighed 12 lb. 3 oz. for second place, and Jeff Nickel’s weighed in at 10 lb. 15 oz. for third.
Chad McMillan took first for his 3 lb. fish, followed by Justin Smith’s at 2 lb. 9 oz., and Jenna Belhumer came third with a fish that also weighed 2 lb. 9 oz.
Every child who had a ticket, and there were more than 50, won a fishing rod, courtesy of Williams Lake Canadian Tire.
Deka Lake & District Ratepayers’ Association also sponsored a Show ’n Shine at the event.
Deka Lake & District Volunteer Fire Department is most grateful to all their generous prize donors, and the public for its perennial support.
Sunday derby
Mountain Spruce Community Centre Society’s (MSCCS) fishing derby at Hathaway and Sulphurous lakes on July 31 saw a total of 45 fish weighed in: 31 kokanee, four rainbow trout and 10 laker trout.
First place and the overall largest fish caught, a kokanee, came in with professional wrestler/promoter Kenny “Loose Cannon” Lush of Sulphurous Lake. Kenny was also good enough to give a great inspirational speech, on never giving up, to all the young people present.
Kokanee
• First place, Kenny Lush, 2 lb. 12 oz.
• Second place, Dianne Shaw, 2 lb. 11 oz.
• Third place, Colleen Friedrich, 2 lb. 10 oz.
Rainbow
• First place, Phil Hammond, 1 lb. 8 oz.
• Second place, Tracey Robinson, 1 lb. 3 oz.
• Third place, Lauran Danny,1 lb. 1 oz.
Laker/Burbot
• First place, Greg Rector, 2 lb. 8 oz.
• Second place (tie), Larina Bouwman and Arielle Friedrich, 2 lb. 3 oz.
The grand prize of a sit-on kayak was won by Tracy Makowichuk of Lone Butte.
The event was a great success, both as a fundraiser for MSCCS, which runs the hall at Sulphurous Lake, and as a builder of community spirit for Sulphurous and Hathaway lakes. Spokesperson Tom Nash voiced his thanks to all their business and personal sponsors, and to the many volunteers who helped.