Starting August 23rd, you will see more boats being hauled on our Grey-Bruce roads. That’s because thousands of anglers from far and wide will be in our region for the 36th Annual Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular Fishing Derby and Festival.
This really is “the largest event of the year in Grey-Bruce.”
Last year, more than 58-thousand folks attended events in the big derby tent on the Owen Sound waterfront. In 2024 the derby should draw numbers similar to last year: at least 4,800 people fished weighing in about 3,300 fish.
Derby co-chair Chris Geberdt told those attending the annual derby sponsors appreciation event. “This derby is about having fun, making some money to put back into the resource and being safe at the end of the day.”
Geberdt added, “The derby made $45,000 last year.” He explained that the cost of fish food for the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association hatchery is high. Other costs include clipping, and hatchery upgrades like new feeders. The Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association volunteers introduced about 45,000 rainbow trout yearlings and 65,000 salmon last year into area waters, all raised at the club’s hatchery in Georgian Bluffs.
Thanks to increased sponsorship by the McDonalds’ restaurant chain, this year the derby is being called the “McDonald’s Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular.”
New this year, extended hours for the Kids Fishing Frenzy Pond in the big tent, which has been a huge hit with youngsters.
There is also a ‘birds of prey’ show on August 23rd and the two giant fish fries return on both Saturday evenings. Kids day is August 25th. Ladies Fashion Day is sponsored this year by Heritage Place Mall.
The 10-day derby involves 600 volunteers, 274 sponsors and awards more than $175,000 in prizes.
Prizes include 45 boats and all kinds of fishing and outdoors equipment and clothing mostly from the sponsors who support this giant fishing festival. Derby participants compete in salmon, lake trout, brown trout and rainbow trout categories, for daily prizes and grand prize boats.
Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association President Scott Grimoldby told the sponsors that derby committee volunteers attend more than 30 trade shows a year from Timmins to Hamilton promoting the derby and selling boat draw and derby tickets. He said “they do an incredible job and we are so very fortunate, so here’s a big thanks to those volunteers who are making a big difference.”
Gary Byers, known as “The Fish Finder” will continue his daily Salmon Spectacular Reports on the Bayshore Broadcasting radio stations which cover territory from Kincardine to Tobermory and east to Barrie. He thanked Bayshore for its continuing support for “our exciting fishing festival.”
Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton called the Salmon Spectacular “a celebration of sports,
camaraderie and the joy of fishing.”
She added, “We wish all participants good weather, a great time on the water and the best of luck.”
Talking about the size of fish this year Geberdt noted the winner in the 2024 Chantry Derby was a 25.62-pound salmon caught in Georgian Bay waters off Lion’s Head, part of the Owen Sound-derby’s waters.
It was netted July 29 by Debbie Brick, of Lion’s Head, at a time when the salmon are feeding and fattening up on their four-year cycle before heading upriver to spawn. “A fish that size that early will be probably another four pounds bigger” by the time our Salmon Spectacular is underway. “So that would have been a 30-pound fish.”
He added that baitfish numbers are growing, particularly smelt which salmon just love.
Finally: Truth IS stranger than fiction. Last year during the Salmon Spectacular, a young angler caught a 28-pound salmon fishing along the wall of Owen Sound harbour. He didn’t have a derby ticket. His fish would have won top prize.
To order tickets and for details about the prizes, entertainment, derby rules and more, see the derby website. Tickets cost $71.50 for a family derby entry, and single tickets cost $31.50.
https://www.sydenhamsportsmen.com/derby-news-results/2024-salmon-spectacular-poster/
