Call it the mother of all fishing derbies. A new Ucluelet-based salmon-enhancement society is gearing up for a four-month-long fishing derby that will offer a top prize of $40,000.

A Slivers Charters guide shows off a fish caught by a Saskatchewan resident.

Brian Clarkson, co-chair of the Ucluelet Salmon Enhancement Society and Tourism Ucluelet member, said the derby will start May 24, end sometime during the first week of September and raise at least $20,000 for the Thornton Creek Hatchery.

“It’s overwhelming the response from people,” said Clarkson. “They’re just asking how they can help.”

Clarkson said the derby will take place in the waters around Ucluelet, and sports fishermen will have to buy tickets to participate.

When an individual catches a fish, he or she will take the salmon to one of two weigh stations.

Organizers will weigh and rank the salmon and list the top 50 salmon on a ladder.

At the end of the derby, the top 50 fishermen will compete in a “fish off.” The largest salmon caught in the fish off wins.

Clarkson said organizers will then use the money raised for salmon and habitat restoration.

Already, he said, organizers have raised $5,000.

Organizers are also getting ready to send out letter to potential sponsors.

Ucluelet Mayor Eric Russcher said the longest derby he remembers lasted one year, was sponsored by a B.C. newspaper and took place years ago.

By running a months-long derby, said Russcher, more people will be able to travel to Ucluelet and participate in the derby.

“It will help make us a sports fishing mecca, hopefully,” he added.
Clarkson agrees, saying salmon enhancement is always important.

“You’re getting money for sports fishing and you’re raising money for salmon enhancement,” he added.

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By Keven Drews, Westcoaster