The Acklands Grainger 18th Annual Charity Fishing Derby went down over the weekend with all proceeds going directly to the Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab Shelter and the Prince Rupert Salvation Army, roughly $4,500.
Rick Gilker took home both first place prizes catching a 37-pound Chinook salmon and a 64-pound, 133 centimetre halibut.
“[The halibut took the] hook right down into the throat. I was in Area 4, which is what I keep getting told to say when people ask me where I caught it,” Gilker said with a laugh, not wanting to identify the specific spot.
“I was mooching for the salmon in a different spot. It was a good day and a good weekend. I got two springs and the halibut on the same day, and I stayed out overnight in an 18-foot boat. It was sloppy [the weather] when I went for the halibut.”
The event drew more than 150 participants, up from 120 anglers last year.
Fishing took place Saturday and Sunday, with contestants bringing in dressed fish for weigh-in at the Ackland Grainger site in Prince Rupert.
All anglers, who managed to weigh-in a qualifying fish, were entered into a draw for prizes at the dinner following the final weigh-in.