Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

BY Larry Wolf

You couldn't have asked for better conditions for the 11th Annual Big Fish Derby.  The turnout was excellent and the fishing red hot.  More than 500 people participated in this year’s event.  This may be a record, since the last time we got close to that number of people fishing was in 1998.  More than 400 entries were weighed in during the 3 days of the Derby.  This year the weather was foggy in the morning, with sunshine all afternoon.  The bite for salmon was early and fast, some fish being weighed in as early as 8:00am in Santa Cruz.

Ken Caporale caught the biggest fish this year, a 31lb.1oz. salmon, which netted him the top prize of $1000.00.  He weighed his fish in at the Upper Santa Cruz Harbor on Saturday.  Norm Reynolds caught the second place fish, which was also the largest halibut caught during the Derby.  His fish weighed in at 28lbs. 15oz., taking the second place prize of $150.00.  The third place winner was Mike Lucas.  Mike was also the 3-Day Total Weight Winner with 70lbs. 6oz.  He won the trip to beautiful Hotel Buena Vista Beach & Spa Resort in East Cape, Baja Mexico.  The largest Ling Cod, weighing in at 15lbs. 4oz. was turned in by Bill Nielsen, who also won $150.00.  Over 70 prizes were awarded during this year’s Derby.

This year we also saw more kids fishing with their parents.  The smile on these children's faces when they came in with their fish was priceless. You could see in their eyes that this adventure would never be forgotten.   To encourage and promote more family fishing, next year we are going to add a children's division with special prizes just for them.  This is bound to bring out some very excited children with dreams of catching the BIG FISH, and spending a great time with their mom and dad. Please direct any ideas or suggestions you may have for this new category in our Derby to Larry Wolf.  He may be reached by phone at 831/688-4257, or fax  831/688-4252.  To write, please address all correspondence to the Hatchery at MBSTP, PO Box 417, Davenport, CA 95017.

The Grand Prize Raffle, with the trip to Breezes Runaway Bay, Jamaica, was won by Dana Von Dieving.  In total, there were 21 prizes given away in the Grand Prize Raffle.

All of us from the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project want to thank those of you who participated in the Derby this year, as well as all the vendors who donated prizes and to all the volunteers who helped work the Derby.  The crew this year was outstanding and made the Derby a fun family event.  The Hatchery collected almost $14,000.00 this year.  While our budget is fairly constant, our donations and grants tend to vary.  The money raised during this fund raising event helps us to meet our budget. Your continued support of our project helps us to restore of local Salmon populations and promote our education program in over 125 local schools.

Once again, thanks for your support at this year’s Big Fish Derby.  We look forward to seeing you next year.

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