Walkerton woman wins Chantry Chinook Salmon Derby

Caitlin Widdes of Walkerton caught a 28.96-pound Chinook salmon Aug. 5, to top the leaderboard. And that catch held on to win the $15,000 top prize at the Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Derby.

Organized by the Lake Huron Fishing Club, the derby ended Sunday (Aug. 11), with awards presented at the Whitney Crawford Community Centre in Tiverton.

Ernie Ackert of Kincardine won the trout category, with a 28.29-pound lake trout.

Dan Machan of Bluevale won the rainbow trout category with a 14.5-pound catch; and Ken Thompson of Kincardine won the brown trout category, with a 12.75-pound catch.

Dylan Becker of Brucefield had the top junior salmon, with a 17.22-pound Chinook.



Dylan Becker of Brucefield holds up his prize-winning salmon; photos courtesy of the Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Derby

Andy Stephens of Stokes Bay won the special weight salmon (closest to 14.36 pounds), with a 14.4-pound Chinook.

Craig Wilton of Arkona won the special weight trout (closest to 14.36 pounds), with a 14.36-pound lake trout.

Overall, there were 1,626 entrants registered in the derby, with 729 salmon caught, and 443 trout.



Caitlin Widdes (left) of Walkerton, and her family, hold up the 28.96-pound Chinook salmon that won the Chantry Chinook Classic Salmon Derby

Joining Widdes with the top 10 salmon, were:
 

• Melissa Vallance of Mississauga, 25.22-pound Chinook
• Justin Wdowiak of Port Elgin, 24.1-pound Chinook
• Cody Gray of Georgian Bluffs, 21.53-pound Chinook
• Jamie Smith of Southampton, 20.64-pound Chinook
• Joshua Choronzey of North Bruce Peninsula, 19.49-pound Chinook
• Adam McDonald of Thamesville, 19.4-pound Chinook
• Todd Bender of St. Clements, 18.86-pound Chinook
• A.R. Walters of Elmwood, 18.2-pound Chinook
• Ken Dopp of New Hamburg, 18.02-pound Chinook

Joining Ackert with the top five trout, were:
 

• Gaige Jackson of Port Elgin, 22.12-pound lake trout
• Corey Engler of Wellesley, 19.64-pound lake trout
• Larissa Smith of Southampton, 19.48-pound lake trout
• Jonathan Dow of Austin, 19.03-pound lake trout

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