Johnathan Beaty took the Kingfisher 2001
title with a 15lb steelhead
Vedder River
Steelhead derby was a winner
Terry
Hanson
Editor-in-Chief
Every year steelhead fanatics line the shores
of the Fraser Valley’s Vedder River in hopes of taking the
Kingfisher of the Year Trophy. The Chilliwack Fish and Game
Protective Association historically has awarded The Kingfisher
Trophy to the steelheader catching the largest steelhead during
this Boxing Day derby, which incidentally has a history dating as
far back as 1938.
Bill
Whimpney, CFGPO president said
"This is an amazing year ... guys are saying there are a
lot of wild fish too which says something about the management
of the resources ... some of the things we are doing must be
right." With 33 steelhead weighed in and over 450 entrants
this year was almost the biggest derby of all time. 1986;
however, was the big year with 47 fish weighed in," said Earnie
Mcduff.
Johnathan Beaty took the Kingfisher 2001
title with a 15 lb steelhead. "I fished all morning without
a bite until lunch time rolled around, then and all heck
broke lose. I was fishing down river and just got lucky – I
used roe. The float went down right in front of my feet – he
was right there. It was a good fight, the steelhead took off
about 50 yards on the first run. I was fishing slow water and
it took me about 15 minutes to get him in."
Paul Moskaluik from Mission placed third with
a 14.72 lbs steelhead. " I had given up hope at about 12:14
p.m. when I made my last cast – I drifted in close to shore and
the steelie nailed it right in front of two other guys. I was
using a gooey bob with a little bit of white wool. We lost two
nice ones this morning in lower part of the river."
Another pioneer at the derby recalls the
first derby she fished in 1966. Vi Lillos quietly sat in the
audience with her son, Wayne, while recalling past derbies –
she’s fished every derby except the times when it was strictly
catch and release for steelhead. Vi has won the prize for the
smallest steelhead and the ladies prize on separate occasions
while her son Wayne has previously won a first and three
seconds. "There are more fishermen now than in the
sixties,"
recalls Vi , "and there were less fish weighed in at those
derbies – they were all wild in those days. In 1965 there were
only 12 fish weighed in," says Lillos.
"In 1968 on December the 6th
I got a 10 lb 11oz fish in Fred Senior's Annual Derby and that was
the average weight for the fish that season -- I recall 85 fish
weighed in that season," says Wayne Lillos.
Wayne won the Boxing Day derby in 1965
with 125 entrants weighing in12 fish. "He lost his winning
12 lbs
12 oz steelhead twice but hauled him up on the beach the third
time ... he had two tears in his mouth but he was still the
winner," says Vi Lillos.
"In the 60's," recalls Vi, "the steelheaders lined
up in icy conditions for role call and started the derby at the
sound of a gun blast. All in all we look forward to fishing the
Boxing Day derby," says Vi Lillos.
Today, as in yesteryears, anglers can donate
the fish they caught during the derby to the CFGPO for the April
6 banquet held at the clubhouse – members and non-members are
welcome. Tickets are available through the Chilliwack Dart and
Tackle and at the club house.
Membership in the CFGPA is $100 for the first
year and $75 a year after that – forms are available at the
Fred’s Custom Tackle, Chilliwack Dart and Tackle and at the
CFGPA. Fees for students or the handicapped are $35 – spouse
and junior memberships are $10.00.
Don’t miss next year's derby – you don’t have to be a
CFGPO member to fish it.
