36th Annual Wawa Salmon Derby

The 2018 Wawa Salmon Derby had 101 teams entered and fishing hard to catch the largest Salmon and largest Lake Trout. Anglers began early Friday evening and fished until Sunday afternoon. The weather was beautiful on the lake, with a breeze that created a few larger waves at the western limits of the fishing area.

 

There was something very special and heartwarming that occurred during this derby. Long-time derby participant (and winner) Steve Lebel was missing, he had passed away unexpectedly earlier in the year. His daughter Rebecca and her partner Dustin Knee and friend Andrew Chalykoff were anglers in the derby. A large salmon was caught Friday evening, and Rebecca hoped it would stay in the running – in an attempt to keep the Lebel name at the top. Sadly the fish was large enough to be the winner that night – but was unable to stay at the top of the Leaderboard at the end of the Derby. Steve will be missed by many of the anglers who knew him.

 

During the Awards Ceremony, MC Frank Springer welcomed all anglers to the derby and thanked all the businesses and talented volunteers that made the derby a success. A special thank you went out to the SE OPP and Sault Search and Rescue for patrolling and keeping all the anglers safe during the derby.

 

This year’s results from the Derby Organizers:

Early Bird – Gary Trudeau and Rick Wilson

Total Weight – Harry Aho Memorial Award – #11 Terry Reid/Cory Purcell (Wawa) (115.45 lb.)
$200.00 Donated by Body Lines By Crack

Largest Salmon Taken by Child Under 14 – Bill Young Memorial Award – #49 Mya Rilley (16.20 lb.) $100 Donated by Wawa Salmon Derby

Friday Largest Salmon – Dustin Knee & Rebecca Lebel (Wawa) #80, 16.95 lbs.

Saturday Largest Salmon – Jean-Paul & Francois Gagnon

Sunday Largest Salmon – Keith Barr & Keith Barr Sr

Mystery Weight –  Jean-Paul & Francois Gagnon

Largest Derby Salmon – #39 Keith Barr Sr. & Keith Barr (20.75 lb.) $6,000.00 donated by Canadian Tire. This fish was also the largest Salmon caught on Sunday.

Second Prize Largest Salmon – #11 Terry Reid/Cory Purcell (Wawa) (20.45 lb.) $3,000.00 Donated by Canadian Tire.

Largest Lake Trout – #7 Real & Yolaine Leclerc (Manitouwadge) (7.75 lb.) $1000 Donated by Brookfield Power & Tbaytel

Empty Creel Award – #11 Alan & Linda Mann (Wawa) $200 Donated by Wawa Salmon Derby

Drawing for the Participant’s Prize of $500.00 donated by JJAM FM Wawa

Pre Derby Winners

Saturday – Adrian Fell & Dan Bowes

Sunday – Terry Reid & Corey Purcell

Monday – Terry Reid & Corey Purcell

Tuesday – Mathew Newlands & Nick Begin

Wednesday – Russell Eagle & Doug Bourgant

Gallery: