Usually at this time of the Summer, the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular is in full swing.
We all know that while there’s plenty of angling taking place on the bay, it’s not nearly as congested as it’s been over the last 3 decades.
That’s not to say there isn’t a competition about to take place on our water system.
The 2020 Denis Bester Memorial Shootout Classic is set to commence on Saturday and run for a week until September 5th.
It’s important to distinguish that this is a ” shootout ” and not a ” derby ”
What’s the difference ?
Well, the Shootout format allows each angler to enter just 3 fish.
The combined weight of the 3 catches is added up to create a final weight and the angler with the heaviest combined total is the winner.
Which creates a dilemma.
Let’s say you catch a 24 pounder on Day 1 and then follow up with a pair of 19 pounders the next day.
Are you willing to release your 19 pounders on the belief that there are more 24 pounders out there ?
Or, like blackjack, do you stick with 62 pounds of combined fish after 2 days and hope the high winds emerge and prevent anyone else from hooking some monsters ?
My understanding is a 31 pounder was weighed in recently.
Along with the activity & outlet the event provides, it also remains as a nice memorial testament to Denis Bester and in addition, proceeds from the 2020 Shootout Classic will be directed to Big Brothers-Big Sisters Grey Bruce and the Salvation Army Food Bank.