This year's salmon: pushing 30 lb.+

Online exclusive. MapleLine Magazine: Aug.1, 2010 See: Salmon Species in BC

SOOKE SALMON ENHANCEMENT SOCIETY (SSES) 2010 CHINOOK FISHING DERBY

Story by Mary P. Brooke (updated Aug.3/10)

A pod of orca whales protected this year's salmon, it seems, as the reported swim-though of orcas in the morning of July 31 seemed to reduce 'bites' to a bare minimum for derby participants after 11:30 am. This was the buzz during this year's Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society (SSES) chinook derby, that despite heavy fog was held July 31 and August 1, 2010 off the shores of Sooke.

Caught just prior to the orca swim-through, and weighed-in at the SSES event station on Sooke Road around 11:30 am, was a 33.6 lb chinook caught by Bruce Butler. As of 6:30 pm July 31 that was still the largest fish, followed by a 32 lb catch by Istvan Molnar, and a 29.45 lb catch by Don Thompson for 3rd place. By noon on Sunday, August 1 the board had changed and these fellows remained the winners at the 1 pm close of the weigh-in station -- Elden Smith in 1st place with a 38.35 lb fish, Richard Hanson in 2nd place with a 34.95 lb chinook, and then Bruce Butler in 3rd place with his 33.6 lb catch. The largest hatchery fish (identified by a missing adipose fin) was caught by Dan Pudwell, who received an award and fishing rod for his winning catch.

As a a service to the fishermen taking part, Mel Hull traditionally cleans all of the fish that are weighed over the two days of the derby. The cleaning is done at a weigh-in station in the parking lot across from Home Hardware. And yes, apparently it's true that Mel has worn the same fish-cleaning T-shirt for eight years now, without washing it.

Dozens of prizes were awarded during a 2.5-hour outdoor BBQ event on Sunday afternoon; prizes were provided by a wide range of local and regional businesses. The Jack Brooks Memorial Prize went to Gary Johnson for the mid-point weight of fish (17.5 lb.). The prize for the oldest fisherman in the derby went to Les Bagley.

The SSES is a volunteer organization; the annual derby is its primary fundraiser. In addition to ticket sales at $50 per rod (which includes an SSES T-Shirt), the group sells hoodies, hats and other paraphernalia to raise funds.

Last year's winning fish weight of 39.40 lb was an all-time record for the SSES Derby, yet to be surpassed this year. Last year's winning catch started life as a hatchery-reared fish. Both this year and last year all of the Top 10 Fish were weighed in at over 30 lb. each. The hatchery fish are identified by a missing adipose fin; fishers are asked to save the fish's head for removal of a chip that provides hatchery-origin data.

The post-fishing dinner and awards event was held August 1, 2010 at Sooke Flats. MM

Photo of boat in Sooke Harbour "Heading Back to Shore" ~ by Mary P. Brooke c.2010 MapleLine Magazine

Photos by Mary P. Brooke | 2010 Copyright MapleLine Magazine

SSES president Mel Hull guts a derby fish then puts the cleaned chinook into a plastic bag for the derby participant to take home.

There were many derby participant boats despite a thick fog that hung over the Sooke coastal area for most of the day, July 31. Shown above: "Perfect Fit" around noon in the fog.

Final winner's board at 1 pm August 1/10. Winning fish on ice.

Click here to see an illustration of salmon species as found in BC waters.

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