Ken Johnston
It was a sunny but chilly day Saturday, yet that was not enough to deter 145 souls from participating in the 12th-annual Morson Ice-Fishing Derby.
Event organizer Sheila Gate said while angler numbers were down from last year, she felt the event was a big success.
There were 105 fish caught, with most of them coming when the derby began at 9 a.m. and then towards the end of the day between 3-4 p.m.
One of the very first fish weighed in was a 6.9-pound northern pike, which stood at the top of the leader board all day.
When the day was done, Pete Hapka won the top prize of $100.
In the walleye category, Regan Arnould of Rainy River had an early lead with a 2.3-pound fish right at 9 a.m.
However, as the day progressed, he was dethroned by several other anglers.
Reeling up the largest walleye of the derby was Colin Wood of Rainy River, whose 4.12-pound fish won him $250.
In second place was Phil Niel of Bergland, who caught a 3.56-pound walleye to win $150, while third place (worth $75) went to Jeremy Trenchard of Rainy River with 3.46 pounds.
Rounding out the northern pike division was Brad Godin of Rainy River with 5.41 pounds to take second prize of $75.
Dan Furyk of Rainy River, who was fishing next to Godin, caught a 4.88-pound northern to win the third-place prize of $50.
Catching the most perch on the day was Phil Niel. He weighed in 21 to win a Mr. Heater.
Meanwhile, two anglers tied for the mystery weight prize.
The weight was .86 pounds, with Les Morrison (Rainy River) and Mary Withers (Gameland) receiving a butane cooker and a fishing rod, respectively.
In the derby raffle, Clarence Gibbins, Jr. of Morson won a set of golf clubs, Colin Wood took home the Pack Shack, and Brian Major won an afghan.
In hourly derby draws, winners included Ron Wolf, Geraldine Blight, Sharilyn Wood, Dylan Anderson, Mark Manundr, Cindy Miller, Pat Gibbins, Colin Wood, Matthew Comegan, and Tanya Daoust.
Gate said the Morson Hall was packed after the derby, and that the roast pork dinner was a success.
The breakdown of fish caught were 64 walleye, 34 perch, and seven northerns.
