Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “,….. proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community….
The 2021 Chantry Chinook Classic concluded earlier this month.
A shorter derby this year, 10 days rather than the traditional 17 days, saw Nathaniel Clauser win the top prize of $ 15,000 with a Salmon that weighed 21.72 pounds.
Even with the condensed derby, the Lake Huron Fish Club attracted close to 1,000 anglers and that level of participation generated in the neighbourhood of $ 10,000 which will be directed to the ongoing operation of their Salmon & Trout hatchery.
Looking ahead, it’s a very busy derby week on Georgian Bay.
Both the annual Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular and the relatively new Denis Bester Memorial Shootout are set to commence on Friday.
The Salmon Spectacular, give or take a COVID interruption last year, has been running for decades and will feature $ 150,000 worth of prizes this year.
Organizers estimate somewhere around 4,000 anglers will participate as the derby somewhat returns to its roots.
Like the Chantry, the Salmon Spectacular is vital to the fish hatchery program for the Sydenham Sportsmen Club.
The Denis Bester Memorial Shootout is a touch different than the other two, as the participation is capped at 1,000 entrants, but the funds generated are directed to the Salvation Army Food Bank, Chapman House Hospice & Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Grey-Bruce.