Kiwanis derby’s big fish caught in the County

Administrator | May 06, 2018 | Comments 0

The County’s Terry Mindle caught his derby winning 12.69 pound walleye in Picton Bay.

Ethan Caley, of West Lake, just missed winning his fourth straight derby catching a 9.85 pound pike Saturday. His was topped by Matthew Moore’s 10.25 pound catch, winning the Junior Pike prize of a kayak and life jacket. – Briar Boyce photo

Perfect weather pitched in for thousands of anglers dropping their lines in the 38th annual Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby over the weekend.

Picton club members operated the weigh-in station at Picton Harbour, and as usual, handled some of the derby’s biggest catches.

The County’s Terry Mindle landed the big prize for top walleye weighing in at 12.69 earning him a $15,000 boat, motor, trailer and accessories.

Mark Kuiken caught his first-place winning pike in Smith’s Bay. – Linda Wilson photo

Mark Kuiken, of Lindsay, caught his first-place winning pike in Smith’s Bay on Saturday. The 16.15 catch held onto top spot to score a boat, motor, trailer and accessories valued at $8,000.

Geoff Farr of Oakwood, with a 13.95lbs pike caught at Smiths Bay, Waupoos. Boat travel back to Picton Harbour was over an hour for them – but it was worth it to be in third place on Saturday, then ending the derby in fifth. – Briar Boyce photo

Senior division prizes included packages at Merland Park, charters, kayaks, tools, tackle, barbecues and prints.

Ethan Caley, of West Lake, just missed winning his fourth straight derby catching a 9.85 pound pike Saturday in Waupoos. His was topped by Matthew Moore’s 10.25 pound catch, winning the Junior Pike prize of a kayak and life jacket.

Noah Garrison took the Junior Walleye top prize (also a kayak and life jacket) with his 9.08 pound catch.

Sierra Melo, of Kingston, shown with her dad Ben, was in second place when she weighed her 9.14 lbs pike on Saturday and finished third by the derby’s end. – Briar Boyce photo

The remainder of the junior prizes included tents, televisions, bicycles and tablets.

None of tagged fish for cash prizes were caught during the event.

Funds raised by the event go to back to the community in support of youth initiatives.

Prince Edward OPP constable Kim Guthrie reports there were no major incidents over the weekend in relation to the derby. Approximately 300 vessels were checked at launches and on the water.

Officers from the OPP Marine Unit, including those from the County and East Region SAVE (Snowmobile, All Terrain Vessel Enforcement) patrolled the Bay of Quinte and other waters.

Friday, four boats were prevented from launching due to non-compliance and two for insufficient life jackets. High wind and risk of thunderstorms caused unsafe conditions earlier in the evening causing the marine patrol unit to leave the water at 1630 hours.

Over the weekend, Guthrie reports high compliance with no major incidents. Officers conducted one boat rescue as anglers were broken down near Trenton. There was one Canada Shipping Act charge for speeding through a no wake zone and six minor Canada Shipping Act warnings.

Guthrie said there were no alcohol or life jacket violations.