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Davey Derby coming up in Renny

Port Renfrew hosts derby in memory of Crofton paper mill worker
30222sookeCharlieHilldidn-tbuyaDaveyDerbyticket39.75lbs.-couldawon
Charlie Hill coulda won the derby with this 39.75-pound salmon but he didn't have a ticket!

With a grand prize worth more than $4,300, the Davey Derby in Port Renfrew provides one of the area’s best chances to come away with a huge salmon and a great prize.

The 13th annual Davey Derby is fast approaching and organizer Audie Williams is enthusiastic about the fun derby. It’s scheduled for July 26 to 28 in Port Renfrew.

“It grows every year,” said Williams. “this year there are 450 rod tickets. A lot of them (derbies) have shut down because of slot limits but Port Renfrew hasn’t been hit by them yet.”

Williams said the derby attracts people from as far away as New Jersey, although most anglers come from the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re lucky,” he said. “The derby started as a mill derby and we asked our suppliers who came through with prizes galore.”

The derby is in honour of Dave Nicholson, an employee at Catalyst Paper in Crofton, who was the guy who always led the charge. The derby started as a way of remembering Nicholson who died from cancer.

In the first year of the derby there were only 15 people competing and they only caught two fish, in the second year there were 30 fishers and now they can have up to 450.

Money raised at the Davey Derby goes to non-profit charities and salmon enhancement.

“People do catch the enthusiasm,” said Williams. “There’s a fantastic prize table and stuff will be raffled off.” The main prize is a $4,300 Yamaha 9.9 high thrust four-stroke engine with remote. The first 20 prizes are worth $250 or more.

There are events for the whole family with a junior and women’s category as well as a bullhead derby for kids.

The rod ticket will cost you $50.

Comedian Kenny Shaw will be providing the entertainment.

The event takes place at the Port Renfrew Marina and RV Park.

For more information, contact Audie Williams at: daveyderby.ca.