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Catching the big one
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| H&N photos by Andrew Mariman Byron Collman, right, fishes with his grandchildren, Dezirei and Diego Arellano, Saturday morning on Upper Klamath Lake. The anglers hit the lake at 5 a.m. for the inaugural Trophy Trout Fishing Derby. |
9-year-old girl wins Trophy Trout Fishing Derby
By MEGAN DOYLE
H&N Staff Writer
Kylee Matthews, 9, yanked and pulled on her fishing rod to get the 28.5-inch trout she caught from Upper Klamath Lake onto the boat.
She used a lure found in her registration packet, which she believes helped.
The fish earned her $1,000 on Saturday during the 2008 Trophy Trout Fishing Derby sponsored by the Herald and News and other local businesses. Of 350 participants, she caught the longest trout during the inaugural catch-and-release contest, which benefited the South Portal Project, which will develop the south entry into Klamath Falls.
Dave DeLonge, derby co-organizer, said there are some things he might change for the next year’s derby, including lengthening the fishing time.
Anglers had to report back by 12:30 p.m. with a digital or Polaroid photo of the fish they caught next to a measuring tape given to all participants.
Some were out on the water by 4 a.m., DeLonge said.
Cpl. Shawn Richards of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office marine division reported few problems on the water. He was checking for valid fishing licenses and that there was just one pole per person, as allowed by Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife law.
Law enforcement officials talked with a few people about navigational lights in the early hours, but the problems were fixed, Richards said.
“Safety is our No. 1 concern,” he said.
Most people are on the water for recreation purposes, so he tries to not bug them unless necessary, he said.
Not everyone fished from a boat during the derby.
Ron Davis finished second with a 28-inch trout caught from the banks of the lake. He won a guided salmon trip for four worth $1,500.
“I thought it was a rock at first, but it pulled back,” he said.
His secret to catching the fish was in the bait.
“I got a thing about big bait, big fish,” he said.
Davis was among the first to turn in a photo of the fish he caught. He paced around as other results came in, hoping he brought in the biggest.
Dane Baeth also was a top finisher in the derby.
Baeth started fishing at 6 a.m. Saturday. Upper Klamath Lake is close to home and there are big fish, he said. He fished from the bank below the Fremont Bridge.
Many of the anglers were concerned that the long-lasting winter and the ice that covered the lake just weeks ago would scare off the fish.
“They’re a little chilly this morning,” said Byron Collman, who took his to grandchildren out on the boat for the derby. They didn’t catch anything.
Nikki McElligot has fished for 15 years without success.
“I have a fishing curse,” she said.
She again didn’t catch a fish, but someone else on the $300 boat from the 1960s she was fishing on caught a 24-inch trout.
The four people on the boat said they would split the prize if they won.
“At least our boat caught one,” McElligot said.
Several people who failed to catch a fish were entered into a prize drawing. Prizes included rods, reels and a tackle box for all children under 12. Several other rods, reels, fish finders and other gear were given to unsuccessful adults.
She used a lure found in her registration packet, which she believes helped.
The fish earned her $1,000 on Saturday during the 2008 Trophy Trout Fishing Derby sponsored by the Herald and News and other local businesses. Of 350 participants, she caught the longest trout during the inaugural catch-and-release contest, which benefited the South Portal Project, which will develop the south entry into Klamath Falls.
Dave DeLonge, derby co-organizer, said there are some things he might change for the next year’s derby, including lengthening the fishing time.
Early risers
Anglers had to report back by 12:30 p.m. with a digital or Polaroid photo of the fish they caught next to a measuring tape given to all participants.
Some were out on the water by 4 a.m., DeLonge said.
Cpl. Shawn Richards of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office marine division reported few problems on the water. He was checking for valid fishing licenses and that there was just one pole per person, as allowed by Oregon Department Fish and Wildlife law.
Safety No. 1
Law enforcement officials talked with a few people about navigational lights in the early hours, but the problems were fixed, Richards said.
“Safety is our No. 1 concern,” he said.
Most people are on the water for recreation purposes, so he tries to not bug them unless necessary, he said.
Not everyone fished from a boat during the derby.
Ron Davis finished second with a 28-inch trout caught from the banks of the lake. He won a guided salmon trip for four worth $1,500.
“I thought it was a rock at first, but it pulled back,” he said.
His secret to catching the fish was in the bait.
“I got a thing about big bait, big fish,” he said.
Waiting game
Davis was among the first to turn in a photo of the fish he caught. He paced around as other results came in, hoping he brought in the biggest.
Dane Baeth also was a top finisher in the derby.
Baeth started fishing at 6 a.m. Saturday. Upper Klamath Lake is close to home and there are big fish, he said. He fished from the bank below the Fremont Bridge.
Many of the anglers were concerned that the long-lasting winter and the ice that covered the lake just weeks ago would scare off the fish.
“They’re a little chilly this morning,” said Byron Collman, who took his to grandchildren out on the boat for the derby. They didn’t catch anything.
Fishing curse
Nikki McElligot has fished for 15 years without success.
“I have a fishing curse,” she said.
She again didn’t catch a fish, but someone else on the $300 boat from the 1960s she was fishing on caught a 24-inch trout.
The four people on the boat said they would split the prize if they won.
“At least our boat caught one,” McElligot said.
Several people who failed to catch a fish were entered into a prize drawing. Prizes included rods, reels and a tackle box for all children under 12. Several other rods, reels, fish finders and other gear were given to unsuccessful adults.
Reader Comments
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Mary wrote on Apr 13, 2008 4:48 PM:
" I'm not a fisherman, nor fisherwoman, and don't currently live in Klamath Falls, so I am curious how this catch and release works. How long can the fish live out of water? And if it is alive, how can you get it to lie still enough and flat enough to get a picture of it next to the measuring tape? And after you take the hook out and put it back, will it heal easily enough that the fish can live a normal life? "
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LS wrote on Apr 13, 2008 5:21 PM:
The released fish do fine, if they are released soon after they are landed. If a fish swallows the hook, then the proper procedure is to cut the line at the hook and let the fish go. The hook will dissolve inside the fish's throat. If the water temp is high, it is a good idea to leave the fish alone or hurry landing them, to keep from stressing the fish. "