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Well the first annual Hook it Up Tackle's fishing derby in Nakusp was a huge success. Excellent turnout with 139 people entering, and approx 41 boats. The fishing was a little slow with only 9 fish weighed in over 10 pounds. A 17lb 5 oz bull trout took first. Over $1300.00 went to the first place winner.

Typical. We had fished the two days before the derby, and the fishing was pretty good. The first day out we landed 12 trout to 12 lbs and 1 small bull. The next day was a bull trout day with 3 around 10 lbs, and a couple of smaller bullies and trout. However things changed on the two days of the derby, and numbers and size went down. We still managed to land 7 or 8 fish per day to 9 lbs, so all in all not too bad, but no derby winners. A great time was had by all, and thank you Miranda for putting on a great derby. We're all looking forward to next year.

Moved the boat back over to Kootenay last weekend and fished Friday and Saturday with Marlan and his crew.

On the first day we were pretty busy, hooking around 20 fish and landing 13. We had two fish over ten pounds. One bully and one trout. Pulling 4 inch Lyman plugs was the ticket. Flasher and hootchie at 53 ft also picked up some nice ones.

The next day I'm a little late for work. On the climb to the summit between New Denver and Kaslo, there was a semi jack knifed across the road. He had been there since 9:30 the night before, so there was no hope of a quick rescue. So back to New Denver I go and up to Nelson and down to Kaslo. A quick 3 hr detour and we were hitting the water at 10:00 am. We figure no problem because the day before they hadn't started biting before 10:00am anyways.

We get set up around 10:30 and nothing happens for over an hour. I have 5 lymans out on the surface, so I'm pretty sure we have things covered, and just have to wait for the bite to turn on, but I'm starting to doubt myself. Finally ole blue tears off after 2 hrs of nothing, and we have a 10 lb rainbow to start the day. I slow the kicker down, and #69 starts hammering hard. We have an 11 lb Bull Trout on that one. Cool. It's worth the wait for a double digit double header.

We pick away at a few more smaller fish, and then after a bit of a slow time, just before the sun went behind the mountains at around 2:30pm, lightning bolt starts screaming. Big Fish!!! Marlan grabs the rod and the battle is on. What a great scene. The sun was out, fresh snow on the hills, calm waters, and a big fish trying to empty your reel. Perfect!

After a great battle Marlan lands a beautiful male Gerrard at just under 20 lbs. Way to go!! It's in bright spawning colors, so he decides to release it.

We get back to fishing, and just before quiting time we land another rainbow around 11 lbs which we also release. Turned out to be a great day even though we had a late start, landing 4 fish over 10lbs.

Marlan was nice enough to send me a video of the last part of the fight with the 19 lber, so if you'd like to see it, drop me an email, and I'll email it to you. Lots of great fishing to be done this winter yet, so lets get out and enjoy it.

Tight Lines ... Brad Stubbs
www.kootenaykingfisher.com