The thing that jumps to mind when you look at the weights of the top 10 walleye this year is that the weights were down. Of the top 10
places only 3 fish were double digits. Its no doubt the mild winter and early spring had the big fish spawning early and headed back to
the big lake long before this weekend rolled around. Overall the weekend was a success for the Kiwanis who have raised close to a million
dollars over the course of the past 32 annual tournaments. Ticket sales numbers weren't available yet but were expected to be about the
same as last year. The weather cooperated and those out fishing on Saturday night were given a spectacular view of the full moon.
In the tagged fish category the Kiwanis tagged and released 150 fish in different locations around the bay. Two of these tagged fish
were caught and each was worth $1000.00 dollars. Tara Pounder was fishing in West Lake when she caught her tagged fish and took it to
the newly added weigh-in station at Sunrise Cottage Resort. Ed Jones was fishing in Brighton Bay where he caught the other tagged fish.
Both winners were on hand at the closing cermony to receive their cheques.
The Junior Pike division was won by Daxtin Nichols with a pike weighing in at 7.34 lbs. The Junior Walleye division was won by Carlie
Neuman with a walleye weighing in at 7.51 lbs. The Senior Pike division was won by David Dodd, fishing in the Picton area, with a pike
weighing in at 16.60. The Senior Walleye division was won by Marco McRae with a walleye weighing in at 11.50lbs.
Marco started fishing this event 5 years ago and made the top 10 with a 5th place finish in 2010. This year he took top spot. He and
partner Pete Harper launched the boat at the Glenora Ferry boat launch at midnight Friday. After a couple of hours of fishing and
catching nothing Marco wanted to call it quits and go home but Pete was able to talk him in to staying longer. They were trolling in
Picton Bay working towards the ferry. The baits they were using were Rapala Husky Jerks black and silver colour. They were flatline
trolling at 1.5mph running their baits 100 feet back and using the electric trolling motor. The fish bit at 4:20 am and not 20 min utes
after they landed it the batteries for the trolling motor died. After weighing in the fish they went home and Marco tried to sleep but
said he couldnt because frieds were calling and texting him to congratulate him. He was pretty sure the fish wouldn't hold up as in most
years the winning weight is usually 12 lbs. It was a long weekend waiting and often checking the liveleader board. Tournament
organizers said the fish was one of the first to come in.
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| Junior Pike division winner Daxtin Nichols | Junior Walleye division winner Carlie Neuman |
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| Fishing partner Pete Harper with Senior Walleye division winner Marco McRae | Senior Pike division winner David Dodd |