Sunny skies and light winds allowed hundreds of anglers from across southwestern Ontario to hit the waters of the St. Clair River and lower Lake Huron on the first day of the Bluewater Anglers 42nd Annual Salmon Derby in search of the big one. The fish were cooperative too. 73 fish were entered at the Sarnia weigh station and 120 fish were entered at the Port Franks weigh station for a first day Salmon Derby total of 193 fish. This is the highest first day total in at least the last 10 years.
The unofficial first day Salmon Derby leaders are ...
- John Bonger of Sarnia in the Salmon category with a 11.89 lb. salmon. - Gerry Fawdry of Sarnia in the Trout - Boat category with a 8.23 lb. rainbow trout. - Rod White of Corunna in the Trout - Shore category with a 7.90 lb. rainbow trout. - Elijah Brown of Petrolia in the Lake Trout category with a 15.74 lb. lake trout. - Jeff Oake of Belmont in the Walleye category with a 9.58 lb. walleye. - Elijah Brown of Petrolia is the Kids Biggest Fish leader.
The Daily Big Fish winner is Elijah Brown of Petrolia with a 15.74lb. Lake Trout. The Daily Draw Prize winners are - Ross Bishop of Sarnia at the Port Franks weigh station, and - Gene Norland of Bright's Grove at the Sarnia weigh station.
Saturday, April 28th is Ladies Day. The women anglers will be competing for a $250 cash prize, donated by CH2M, for the largest fish entered by a women 16 years of age or older.