Blackstone, Garcia atop LPOIC derby

With just a few days remaining, Mike Blackstone and Jeffrey Garcia sit atop the rainbow and Mackinaw division's of Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's spring derby.

"Today the weather changed and we did not have the bright sunshine that makes the large rainbows hide their heads," LPOIC's Dave Gillespie said.

Taking advantage of the weather, Blackstone and Ray McLeod caught their way to the top of the rainbow leader board, dropping Don Houk to third after just one day in the top spot.

Blackstone caught a 19.7-pound rainbow measuring 35 inches to claim the top spot — more than two pounds bigger than the 17.45-pound rainbow caught by McLeod that measured 32 inches. Blackstone released his fish after it was measured and weighed. The anglers' success dropped the previous day's leader, Houk who caught a 16.75-pound rainbow measuring 33 3/4 inches long early on Thursday. In fourth is Ted Faiers, who led the derby for several days with a 16-pound rainbow before being dropped down the list; and in fifth is Gary Thompson with a 15.4-pound rainbow.

Sitting in top spot in the Mackinaw division, Garcias caught a 16.7-pound fish on the derby's opening day on April 29, holding off numerous challengers. Sitting in second place is Ed Reeves, who also caught his 14.5-pound, 29 3/4-pound Mack on opening day. In third place is Marcus Hull with an 11.2-pound, 27 1/4 Mackinaw, in fourth is Patrick Reagan with an 11.05-pound, 31-inch fish, and in fifth is Cory LaRuew with a 10.6-pound, 27 1/4-inch Mackinaw.

The derby, which will run through May 7, offers the chance to hook some serious prizes.

First place in the adult rainbow division comes with a $4,000 prize. Second place nets a $2,500 prize, third place $1,500, fourth $750, and fifth $500.

In the adult Mackinaw division, the top angler nets a $1,200 prize, second $800, third $600, fourth $400, and fifth $200. Prizes are also given to anglers who place sixth through 10th.

First place in the Junior Division (ages 13-20) wins $600, second is $400, third is $300, and fourth is $200. There is a $100 bonus for the successful catch-and-release of a placing rainbow.

The Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club derbies have been a tradition in the region since the late 1940s. The story is that the derbies started in 1947 after an earlier 1940s planting of Gerrard rainbows from Canada which brought the fish to Lake Pend Oreille.

Information: lpoic.org

Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club

2023 Spring Derby

Day 6 unofficial results

Adult Rainbow Trout

1. Mike Blackstone, 19.7 pounds, 35 inches (released). 2. Ray McLeod (17.45, 32. 3. Don Houk, 16.75 pounds, 33 3/4 inches (released). 4. Ted Faiers, 16, 33 3/4 (released). 5. Gary Thompson, 15.4,. 32 1/2 inches (released).

Adult Mackinaw

1. Jeffrey Garcia, 16.7 pounds, 35 inches. 2. Ed Reeves, 14.50, 29 3/4. 3. Marcus Hull, 11.20, 27 1/4. 4. Patrick Reagan, 11.05, 31. 5. Cory LaRue, 10.6, 27 1/4. 5. Charlie Jett, 10.5, 26 1/2. 7. Dusty Flamand, 10.05, 30. 8. Patrick Raynor, 8.6, 28 1/2. 9. Douglas Lambrecht, 8.15, 30. 10. John Cosolito, 7.8, 29.

Youth A

1. Mavrick Townsend, 29 inches, rainbow. 2. Lyla Shelton, 28, rainbow (released). 3. Savannah O'Hara, 28 rainbow(released).

Youth B

1. Jozie Morrison, 27 3/4 inches, Mackinaw, 2. Dixon Bailey, 23, rainbow. 3. Liberty O'Hara, 22 1/2, rainbow (released).

German brown trout

1. Clinton Eveland, 10 pounds, 28 inches.

Corporate sponsor (possible winner)

Don Houk, 16.75 pounds, 33 3/4 inches

Mackinaw of the Day

April 29 — Jeffrey Garcia

April 30 — Ed Reeves

May 1 — Ed Reeves

May 2 — Shawn Butler

May 3 — Cory La Rue

Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award (possible winner)

Jozie Morrison, 27 3/4 inches, Mackinaw