The Southwest Outdoors Club (SWOC) annual Big Boyz fishing Derby out of Wheatley Harbour concluded on Monday, August 3 with almost $10,000 in cash prizes given out to successful fishermen.
Anglers had until 2 pm Monday to bring in their hauls, with $100 daily prizes given out for the longest fish on each of four days. The tournament started Friday, July 31.
When the dust settled, Doug Laforet took home the $2,000 cash prize for his 29-2/16” walleye that he caught on Day 1 of the tournament. Crystal Thibault matched that measurement on Day 4, but had to settle for second place as Laforet’s fish was caught first. In third place on the walleye side, Bob Talbot landed a 29” fish, while Carter Renaud took fourth with a 28-3/16” walleye. Jerritt Lopes brought in a 28-12/16” walleye on Monday morning to finish off the leaderboard.
On the rainbow side, Bruce Robinson took top prize with his 29-1/2” “bow” caught on Day 1 as well. He held up to be the winner, with Jerry Devine second with a 29-5/16” rainbow. Dylan Gignac landed a 27-5/16” rainbow for third place, with Steve Pucovsky netting a 27-1/16” rainbow. Kyle Dick finished fifth with a 27” rainbow.
Daily winners included Robinson and Laforet on Day 1, Kyle Dick and Carter Renaud on Day 2, Tony Carreira on Day 3, and Jerry Devine and Crystal Thibault on Day 4.
