Guelph man in the lead with 17.56-pound catch at Chantry Chinook derby

Nathan Weber (above, left) of Ayton took an early lead in the Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Derby, aboard Billy Wyatt’s vessel Saturday morning, catching this 16.78-Chinook salmon.

However, that lasted only a day before Murray Hahn of Guelph grabbed the lead with a 17.56-pound Chinook, caught Sunday night.

Jonathan Dow of Auxtin, Texas, leads the trout side, with a 14.9-pound catch.

The derby began Saturday and runs to Aug. 11, with a $15,000 prize for the largest salmon.

Other prizes include $4,000 for the second-largest salmon, and $2,000 for the third-largest.

Top trout brings a prize of $7,500, followed by $1,500 for second, and $750 for third.

There are numerous additional prizes for special days, hidden weight, largest salmon at the end of the first week, largest rainbow trout, etc. Prizes will be presented at the awards ceremony, Sunday afternoon, Aug. 11, at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton.

Weigh stations are located in Kincardine, Saugeen Shores, Wiarton and Pike Bay.

There are also special days for ladies, seniors and youth to fish at the derby.

For complete details, check the website at: www.chantrychinook.com/