Blue Knuckle Derby nears with lines hitting water in one week's time

Rushbrook Floats will be the starting point for many of those
taking part in this years Blue Knuckle Derby on the 27th

After a hectic Christmas and Boxing, one week from today will bring a chance to get away for a bit and maybe reel in some great prizes with Blue Knuckle Derby Day, the popular day on the water for some that makes for an annual holiday tradition on the North Coast.

This years event takes place on Monday, December 27th from Daylight until Dark in the tidal waters around Prince Rupert with the proceeds this year once again to be delivered to the Salvation Army, RCM Search and Rescue 64 and the Oldfield Creek Hatchery to name a few.

The event has been a fixture on the Prince Rupert Calendar since December of 1992, making for larger and larger numbers of participants looking for a break from the hectic pace of the holiday celebrations.

The event which is hosted by the Prince Rupert Lions Club,  once again this year honours the memories of Marc Desautels and Jeff Carlson and has been a fixture on the Prince Rupert Calendar since December of 1992, making for larger and larger numbers of participants looking for some time on the water and maybe the top prizes of the day.

The Lions took on the project following the passing of Marc Desautels in 2009, the Lions added Mr. Carlson's name to the event following his passing in 2018, the two popular members of the community gave much in the way of their time and support for a range of activities.

With  COVID measures in mind the Canadian Fish Parking Lot on 
George Hills Way willbe the location for 
this years Weigh In for the Blue Knuckle Derby

Due to the recent Covid-19 protocols the weigh-in for the Blue Knuckle Derby will take place in the Canfisco parking lot. 

The site chosen because of its proximity to the waterfront and its large area available to marshal vehicles and maintain social distancing.  

This years Weigh in takes place from 3 until 6 with the awarding of prizes to be made following the weigh in process.

The entrance fee to the event is 25 dollars and participants will then be in the running for  range of prizes donated by local merchants, with the Top Three prizes for those who do some fishing and deliver the largest Cleaned Salmon as follows:

Fist Place -- $1,200 Cash courtesy of Harbour Machining

Second Place -- $800 Cash courtesy of Lighten Up electric and R and R Rewind

Third Place -- $500 Cash courtesy of the Port of Prince Rupert

Participants are also up for door prizes, with a 1,000 Door prize to be awarded courtesy of Gateway Dental along with another 1.000 dollar Door Prize from Atla Gas

Click to enlarge

Raffle tickets are available for five dollars for a large number of other prizes to be given away at the  event.

Tickets can be purchased at Pacific Net and Twine, Seasport, The Northern View and Northwest Fuels.

Tickets are also available from Lions Club members.

The Prize draws will once again be broadcast live through Facebook as it was last year owing to COVID protocols.

Blue Knuckle Derby ticket sales have topped over 400 in recent years,  with the BKD remaining one of the popular holiday events in the region. 

The Lions Club Members have been collecting prizes from around the community over the last few months. You can learn more about those efforts and the lates notes on the event as well from the Lions Facebook page here,

Find more items of note from our Community Notes Archive page.