Saturday, Jan. 27 marked the beginning of the annual ice fishing derby sponsored by Fisher River Valley Fire /Rescue Auxiliary. The event raises money for their fire and emergency services. Businesses and vendors from Troy, Libby, Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls helped support the event and raised an excess of $13,000 from raffles, auctions and door prizes. Children received ice fishing poles and goodie bags. Prizes included fishing sleds, tackle boxes with lures and buckets with scoops.
The derby encompassed the Thompson chain of lakes, Crystal lake and Loon lake. Anglers took to the lakes to hook yellow perch, pike, salmon and rainbow trout. The warmer weather was a concern, but the 319 adults and 67 children that signed up for the two day fishing derby managed to wrangle some big fish. This year’s event raised over $7,700.00 for their fire and emergency services.
The final winners that took home prizes in each category follows.
In the adult yellow perch category, Jim Aiken came in first with a 13 and 1/8 inch long perch weighing one pound 4.4 ounces. Tracy Vernon placed second with a 13 inch long, one pound 3.6 ounce perch. Third place went to Steve Schenk, his perch came in at 12.75 inches and weighed one pound 2.2 ounces.
The adult pike winners were: Brian Kair in first place with a 33 and 5/8 inch long fish that weighed 11 pounds 12.11 ounces. Jonny Siefke placed second with a 32 and 1/4 inch long pike that weighed ten pounds seven ounces. Bart McCully placed third with a 30 and 5/8 inch long pike that weighed nine pounds 0.2 ounces.
The adult rainbow trout winners were: Dave Lindholm in first place with a 20.25 inch, three pound 7.6 ounce trout. Second place went to Kyle Hannah with a 21.25 inch, three pound 3.9 ounce trout, and third place went to Brendon Limpo. His trout was 18.5 inches long and weighed two pounds 15.6 ounces.
The adult salmon category winners were: Dale Shepard in first with a 13.5 inch long salmon that weighed one pound 1.7 ounces. Second place was Karen Bache whose salmon was 13 and 1/8 inches long and weighed one pound 0.9 ounces. Third place went to Tracy Vernon. Tracy’s salmon was 13 and 3/8 inches long and weighed 9.8 ounces.
The children’s event winners are as follows: Benjamin Repine won first place in the yellow perch category. His fish was 13.25 inches long and weighed one pound 4.8 ounces. The second and third place winners were tied. Harlynn Rummel and Kory Peltier both caught fish 2 inches long weighing 14.7 ounces.
Ella Schwartz placed first in the pike category. Her fish was 29.5 inches long and weighed seven pounds 4.8 ounces. Ian Thom took second place with a 28 inch fish weighing four pounds 12.1 ounces. Third place went to Trent Tennison. His pike was 23.25 inches long and weighed three pounds 8.8 ounces.
Trighton Dugan took first place in the rainbow trout category. His fish was 17.5 inches long and weighed one pound 9.3 ounces. Gracie Gronley placed second. Her fish was 15 inches long and weighed one pound 2.8 ounces. Coltan Dugan came in third with a fish measuring 13.25 inches weighing 14.9 ounces.
The salmon category winners were: Hudson Hannah in first place with a 12.75 inch salmon that weighed 9.6 ounces. Second place went to Tyssen Bothman. His fish was 12.25 inches long and weighed 7.6 ounces. Tristan Dugan took third place with an 11 inch, 7.4 ounce. salmon.
Congratulations to all the winners and those who made this event such a success