Pigeon Derby Results????

[Trevor]

Hey guys, was wondering if anyone was at the Pigeon Lake derby today?  I almost went but decided to save my $70 and go elsewhere and catch fish...

Curious about the results though.  Anyone know the size and species of the top placing fish?  Who won the $20,000?

Thanks,
Trevor

[David_the_fisher]

hey first prize went to a pike at 15.3 pounds

[Trevor]

Thanks Dave.

Trevor

[TJG]

Drove out on Friday night.
Got there at 1am, about 30th in line.
Had an awsome time staying up all night, swapping fishing stories on the ice,was more than warm!
Got an outside hole in the morn north east corner.
Was warm all day. Pulled in a 4-5 pound walleye,
had to throw it back, cannot weigh them in, the derby follows all the provincial regs.
That would have made the top ten. Never seen
a fish come out of our end of the lake all day.
Winner was a 15 pound pike
second was 14.6 pike. There was only 68 fish caught.
mostly pike and ling, 1 white and 3 perch.
They gave away the last prizes with a ticket draw.
David how did you do? Post a report
Later TJ

[Trevor]

Wow, de-ja-vu, read your report already on the FAMB TJ.  Thanks again.

Trevor

[TGF]

I don't think you guys should be calling it a "Derby". It should be called  Pigeon Lake Lottery. Derby makes people think there is some level of skill involved. 1 fish registered per 55 anglers. Poor results. One co-ordinator told us that they had GPSed the corners and if had poor results, it would be moved over one way or another next year. I was one of the early birds and was in line-up at 5pm Friday. We were 8th in line. Had  the Aqua-vu down the hole for the 4 hrs. Didn't see one fish pass through. They sure are hard to catch when there is no fish there.

[Trevor]

That's why I didn't go.  Should have a format like a trap attack or something.  Anglers head out and punch their own holes anywhere they choose on the lake, and fish with whatever means at their disposal, so long as they fish within the regs...Would require more officials but would be more about the whole ice fishing experience.  But I guess for some the ice fishing experience means sitting over the same hole all day while polishing off a case.  Heck, I've never been one to knock the next guy's method.  If everyone did everything the same that wouldn't be good either.  I think the Pigeon Derby is more about having a good time than it is an opportunity to exhibit your angling skills.

I'm sure of one thing though, moving the location won't change anything.  Lake is fairly lacking in the structure department, just one giant flat.  There is just something about 3800 anglers all congregated into one area that seems to turn off fish.

Trevor

[TGF]

I hear ya Trevor. I'm all for tournament style. I have found some off shore humps in Pigeon and had good luck there. I still had lots of fun and especially enjoy the BS the night before.