Hook the Hog anglers haul in their salmon
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April 9, 2015
Diana Zimmerman
Dylan Spicer took first place in the Hook the Hawg salmon derby's kids category with a 10 lb. salmon.
Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce Director Shannon Gildea and her high school intern, Shelbie Abbot, were up bright and early on Friday morning to begin the third annual Hook the Hawg fishing derby.
A little too early, if you ask Gildea. It was still dark when they arrived and set up a tent, and it was more than an hour before the energy and people began to stir at the Elochoman Slough Marina in Cathlamet.
On Saturday, the two slept in a little longer and arrived to find customers waiting for them. Maybe it was the tides or Saturday brought out the early risers.
"We're still in the learning stage for this event," Gildea said. "It seemed like folks were having a great time and a lot of folks were catching fish."
Two boys caught their first springers on Saturday and stopped by to get them weighed. Leslie Pederson and his wife, Irm, who won the derby last year with a 25.8 pounder only managed to hook a couple of nine pounders but still had a great time.
The Chamber sold more than 75 tickets. Some of the money raised during the event will go towards a Chamber scholarship for a graduating high school student and the rest will go back into the fund for Chamber events.
Diana Zimmerman
Brothers Tona Reda of Toutle and John Reda of Lakewood placed second with this 18.3 lb. catch. "We had a great time as always when we are together," John said. This is the second time they've entered the derby and the 10th year they've visited Cathlamet for the spring salmon season.
Only 12 of the ticket holders stopped by to have their fish weighed.
Prizes included cash, beer making kits, a reel and four rods. Two were made by retired dentist, Dr. Doug Martin.
This year's winners were:
--1st place, Brett Hanson, 19.1 pounds;
--2nd place, Tony Reda, 18.3 pounds;
--1st place in the women's category, Linda Ashe, 13.1 pounds;
--1st place for youth (11-16 year olds), Cole Battle, 13 pounds
2nd place for youth, Shawn Nicholson, 10.4 pounds, and
--1st place for for kids (0-10 year olds), Dylan Spicer, 10 pounds.
"Lots of people wanted to enter the derby after they caught a fish," Gildea laughed. "Unfortunately, that's not how a derby works."
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