Finley's Friday catch good enough to win Big One derby
<p>JEROME A. POLLOS/Press Mary Finley poses for a picture with her 26.26-pound chinook salmon she caught Friday during the 28th annual Big One Chinook Derby on Lake Coeur d'Alene.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - A Coeur d'Alene woman won the 28th Big One Chinook Derby put on by the Lake Coeur d'Alene Angler's Association.
Mary Finley's 26.26 pounds and 35 1/4-inch long chinook that she reeled in Friday held up through the four-day derby that ended Sunday.
Finley will earn $5,000 and bragging rights equal to those of husband Bucky Finley, who won the derby in 2000.
The awards ceremony is 7 p.m. Sunday at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn
The 72-year-old Finley reeled in her catch after a 20-minute fight in the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene just south of Mica Bay.
Her catch withstood the efforts of another 350 anglers.
The Finleys are charter members of the LCAA and have competed in the derby each year.
Mike Duffey pulled in a 20.14-pound, 32-inch chinook to claim second and $3,000, while Gary Hill caught a 19.88-pound, 34 3/8-inch chinook to take third, good for $1,000.
Fourth through 10th were:
Joe Johnson, 18.82 pounds, 33 1/2 inches.
Wayne Henderson, 18.40 pounds, 32 3/4 inches.
Bob Priebe, 16.82 pounds, 32 inches.
Wayne Henderson, 15.84 pounds, 32 inches
Dawn Nolan, 14.40 pounds, 31 inches
Doug Sheldon, 13.61 pounds, 33 1/2 inches.
Jeff Colliton, 13.06 pounds, 30 3/4 inches.
Pike Minnow
Shannon Gill, 3.70 pounds; Gary Fish, 2.84 pounds; Dietra Shatzen, 2.30 pounds; Debbie Pierce, 2.26 pounds.
Kid's Catch
Wesley Browning, 10.40 pounds, 29 1/2 inches.
Dakota Brunnemann, 5.84 pounds, 24 inches.
Ethan Downing, 5.26 pounds, 23 1/2 inches.
Tyler Dellbridge, 4 pounds, 22 inches.
David Agen, 3.46 pounds, 20 inches.