North Coasters looking to land the Big One in the Blue Knuckle Derby

Check out your gear, and pack some warm clothes ... the date has been set for the 25th annual Marc (Dezi) Desautels memorial Blue Knuckle Derby, with Wednesday, December 27th marked on the calendar for the North Coast's fishermen and women to head out from Daylight to Dark to try to reel in the Largest Salmon.

Sponsored by the Prince Rupert Lions Club, the event has been a popular fund raising event in the community since December of 1992, making for a great opportunity for families and friends to take advantage of the Holiday season in a friendly fishing competition.

From that first trip out in the early 1990's the annual event has grown, attracting larger and larger turnouts and providing a nice break from the frenzy of the holidays.

With the passing of Marc Desautels, the Lions picked up the torch for the event in 2009 and it has since become one of the most popular of the Lions Club activities in the course of the year, raising thousands of dollars for local groups.

The entrance fee for the 2017 Derby is 25 dollars per ticket

The Weigh in for the 2017 Event takes place at the Moose Hall from 5 until 6 PM, with Prizes to be awarded from 6 to 7 PM. 

A number of local businesses have stepped up to lend a hand when it comes to the rewards for a day out on the water.

First Place -- $1,200 courtesy of Harbour Machining
2nd Place -- $800 -- courtesy of Lighten Up Electric/R & R Rewinding
3rd Place -- $500 -- courtesy of The Port of Prince Rupert

As well, there are many Door prizes to be given away as part of the Weigh In and Prize Award festivities, including a $1,000 Cash Door Prize courtesy of Gateway Dental

As an additional feature for this years Derby, a raffle to win Return Tickets for 2 from Terrace to Vancouver has been provided courtesy of Central Mountain Air. 

Tickets for that raffle cost just 10 dollars.

Winners must be present to wind their door prizes.

The financial returns from this years derby will be distributed to the Salvation Army, Search and Rescue 15 and the Oldfield Creek Hatchery

For updates on the event see the Lions Club Facebook page here.

For more background on Community events on the North Coast see our archive page here.