Fishing derby on Pend Oreille slated

SAGLE - It's almost derby time on Lake Pend Oreille.

The 26th annual Captn's Table Halloween Derby will be held Oct. 26-27. The event starts Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. with a live auction the Captn's Table restaurant on Garfield Bay near Sagle to raise funds for the derby's jackpots.

The restaurant has served as the derby's headquarters for the past 16 years.

"It all started at the old Kilroy Resort when four guys were sitting at the bar bored to tears," said Mary Thompson, restaurant manager and derby organizer. "After the Kilroy closed, the guys came to me to see if I wanted to help run it. Over the years, it's grown and grown."

Last year 376 anglers participated in the adult-only derby. Two years before, a record 426 entered. Thompson said she believes it's the largest derby on the lake.

"We have anglers who travel (from several states)," Thompson said. "It's amazing to have all these anglers together for some great fishing and fun. Some families make it a tradition to come."

There will be divisions for rainbow trout and Mackinaw (lake trout). The derby runs from daylight on Saturday to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The entry fee is $40. Anglers can sign up at the event or by calling 265-6351. The entry includes a buffet during Sunday's awards ceremony.

This year's derby is dedicated to Spokane's August Augistine and Spokane Valley's Don Marcille, both longtime participants in the derby who died in the past year.

Fred Munson of Hope caught the winning rainbow last year at 23.68 pounds. Ben Dillon of Athol landed the top Mackinaw at 11.2 pounds.