Williams, Belgarde top derby
SANDPOINT — The holiday may be a few days away yet, but a number of local anglers had reason to be thankful as they caught their way onto the leaderboard of Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club’s annual K&K Thanksgiving Derby.
The annual derby kicked off Saturday on the lake and runs through Sunday, Nov. 25, taking off Thanksgiving Day to allow anglers a chance to spend time with their families. According to derby rules, all rainbows weighed in must be 32 inches or longer to qualify in the adult division and 28 inches in the junior division.
“There are a bunch of nice fish being caught right now, and released,” LPOIC officials said in announcing the derby’s start. “This club is made up of a great group of anglers and a dedicated and prideful board of directors and we want to protect and enhance Lake Pend Oreille and its fishery.”
Julie Williams of Bonners Ferry hooked a 20.78-pound lake trout that measured 34 inches to take the top spot in the adult rainbow division on opening day. Coming in a close second was George Schiniski, who caught a rainbow weighing 19.24 pounds and measuring 33 3/4 inches long.
In the adult mackinaw division, Gale Belgarde Sr. of Sagle claimed top spot on opening day with a 16.24-pound fish that measured 34 inches long.
In the junior division for rainbow trout, Patrick Elmore claimed opening day’s top spot with a 10.6-pound fish that measured 30 inches long.
In the Youth A division, Keefe Shockey caught his way onto the leaderboard with a rainbow trout that weighed 8.86 pounds and measured 27 3/4 inches long. In the Youth B division, Lyla Shelton claimed the top spot with a rainbow trout that measured 30 inches long and weighed 13.16 pounds.
Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club
K&K Thanksgiving Derby 2018
Unofficial standings
(Saturday, Nov. 17)
Adult rainbow trout:
1. Julie Williams, 20.78 pounds, 34 inches; 2. George Schiniski, 19.24, 33 3/4 inches.
Adult mackinaw
1. Gale Belgarde Sr., 16.24 pounds, 34 inches.
Junior division (rainbow)
1. Patrick Elmore, 10.6 pounds, 30 inches.
Youth A division
1. Keefe Shockey, rainbow, 8.86 pounds, 27 3/4 inches.
Youth B division
1. Lyla Shelton, rainbow, 13.16 pounds, 30 inches.
Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.