Deer Creek Fishing Derby winners

By Colleen Nelson

   The Pierce-Weippe Chamber of Commerce sponsored their annual Deer Creek Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 12, which was also Free Fishing Day. The weather cooperated nicely as 39 participants paid the $20 entrance fee and fished for cash prizes. It was a great turnout of 32 children, 12 yrs and under competing for the kid’s prizes. Beginning as early at 6 a.m., some fished from shore and some from boats for the heaviest combined catch of 6 fish and for the longest fish.

   The biggest winner was eleven-year-old Durgan Jared, son of Dave and Amy Jared of Pierce, who won $400 for the heaviest catch of 3.62 pounds. Durgan, accompanied by his grandfather, Harry Stenzel, also won a fishing rod for catching the second longest fish in the kid’s category.

   Luke McIntosh of Orofino, won $200 for second place, with a catch of 3.54 pounds. Lito Ilagan of Orofino, won $100 for a catch of 3.29 pounds plus a custom made rod and reel for the longest fish of the day – a 13, 9/16 inch rainbow trout. The rod was crafted and donated by Joe Douglas of Black Dog Tackle; Pierce Hardware donated the reel.

    Michael Newton, (10 yrs) and Allison Davidson (5 yrs) tied for first place in the kid’s category. Each had a fish measuring 11 7/8 and won a spinning reel and rod and a fly-casting rod, respectfully. Connor Cox (3 yrs) won third place and Dalton West (3 yrs) won fourth place. All children who participated were given prizes donated by Idaho Fish and Game or the Pierce-Weippe Chamber.

   The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all who participated in this year’s tournament and the helpers who set up, cleaned up, signed up, weighed, and measured fish. Thanks also to the Lion’s Club ladies who served concessions.

Harv Nelson, Chamber President, and Durgan Jared, first, place winner.

“Kids” - John McLain, Keaton Kikuyama, Annika Cook, Kylan Kikuyama, Durgan Jared, Tori Skiles, Harv Nelson, Christian Andrews, Allison Davidson, Kasen Hohnstein, Kanyon Hohnstein, Mara Skiles, Drew Stacy.

Harv Nelson, John McLain, Idaho Fish and Game and Allison Davidson, first place Kids Category winner.

Harv Nelson and Luke McIntosh, second place winner.

Pete Armstrong, Harv Nelson, Sarah Nelson, Ben Lawrence.

Bryson Hernandez with the fish he caught.

Lito Ilagan (pictured with Rika, his daughter) came in third at the Deer Creek Fishing Tournament on June 12, winning $100. He also won the longest fish contest and won a custom made spinning rod by Black Dog Tackle and reel from Pierce Hardware. The tournament is sponsored by the Pierce-Weippe Chamber of Commerce.