Derby winners reel in big prizes

Steve Loback with the 9.87lb walleye that won him eighth place.

Thousands of anglers cast to catch top prizes in the 36th annual Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby.

The biggest walleye, at 12.89lbs, won Richard Durston a boat, motor, trailer and acessories valued at $30,000.

David Chong’s pike, weighing in at 14.57lbs won him a boat, motor, trailer and accessories valued at $12,750.

Junior Walleye winner Nolan Walcott’s 7.67lb fish and Junior Pike winner Alex Swain’s 8.7lb catch won each of them a guided walleye charter trip for two valued at $650.

Last year’s big pike winner Paul McTaggart was back in this year’s event Saturday, fishing from Picton out to Hay Bay where he reeled in two weigh-worth pike.

The Foxboro resident noted he and friend Jeremy Bench had caught about 15 fish by lunchtime Saturday. McTaggart’s two catches weighed in by Picton Kiwanians came in at 10.09 and 7.25lbs.

“We were fishing in Hay Bay. Last year’s winner was from out in Lake Ontario but so far it’s too rough to go out there,” he said.

Moment later, Steve Loback arrived with his sons to weigh a 9.87lb walleye that ended up winning him eighth spot in the derby.

“We caught him toward the ferry,” said the happy angler who has been fishing the derby for the past 12 years.

This year he joined his sons in the derby winner’s circle. Brady has placed second and ninth with catches and Johnathon has been in sixth spot.

The Kiwanis Walleye World derby is a fundraiser for the Trenton Kiwanis Club to help raise money for community projects.

Paul McTaggart and Kiwanian Tom Finora at the Picton Marina weigh-in station with the pike that weighed in at 10.09lbs Saturday morning. McTaggart was last year’s big pike winner.

Tom Finora releases Eric Machold’s 13.47lb pike back into Picton Bay. The catch, from in front of the cement plant, won the Peterborough resident third place in the derby.