The Outdoor Line Forum

Opening day in Marine Area 7 (San Juan Islands) was also pre-fish day for the second annual Resurrection Derby in Friday Harbor.
While not the smoking hot fishery we saw last year, there are still some nice fish to be had.
Participation in the Resurrection derby was up from last year with 69 angling teams competing for the $10,000 first prize.

The 69 boats entered 46 chinook today with Walt Vanwingerden's 22.34 lb slab of chinook on top of the leaderboard!


If it holds up for the win, Vanwingerden's 22.34 pounder will eclipse Lance Husby's winning fish of last year by nearly three pounds!
We will be broadcasting live from Friday Harbor so tune in from 6-8am for the latest Resurrection Derby news!

Good times out there forsure, especially watching the big man crash in the chair at Herbs! He he. Great job Walt and Tommy. Can't wait for the next Derby.

No fishing photos from the Resurrection Derby for me. Too darned busy running the gear and staring cross-eyed at my rod tip to bust out the camera. We had one helluva good time out there and hope to be back next year. Here's a few of the pics that I did take
Just one of the pieces from the chair that Nelly pancaked at Herbs on Saturday night

Well hello there...what's your name


Blackmouth

Jim Aggergaard sporting the new Jay Field faux tee

"So this is the belly of your line and the cheater spoon goes here...hickup"

The Kings of Blackmouth...Andy, Cory, and Jeff. These cats weighed in the biggest hatchery king salmon in derby series history last year in the B'ham derby....a 35 pound chrome toad

Bobby, the owner at Haley's restaurant in Friday Harbor keeps the libations flowing for the thirsty derby crowd

Some darn good fisherman kicking around this event

Here's the final results, courtesy of Resurrection Derby Chairman Kevin Kline

Grandfather and Grandson team net $10,000 Whopper in Resurrection Salmon Derby!

69 teams of over 200 fishermen descended on Friday Harbor Dec. 1st for the 2011 Resurrection Derby, leaving no doubt that the San Juan Islands are the mecca of winter Chinook fishing in the Northwest. A total of 96 hatchery origin fish were weighed in for the Friday and Saturday event. The first fish to hit the scales was also the biggest at 22.34 lbs, caught by Walt Vanwingerden and his Grandson Tommy of Bellingham. This blackmouth eclipsed last years winner by over 2lb.s. Fair weather and fair fishing saw more fish caught the second day. Angler Steve Grey and skipper Mark Schinman of Everett reeled in a big fish over 20lb.s, shaking up the leader board and landing in 2nd. place. Team Defiance Boats out of Bremerton rounded out the top three.
Last years winner, Team Big Kahuna, netted total weight honors with 63.52 lb.s of mostly smaller salmon.
This Puget Sound Anglers event has quickly become one of the most coveted tickets on the Northwest Salmon Derby Series. A true gathering of the elite saltwater fishermen in the Northwest, and a brother and sisterhood of anglers who represent the best of what sportfishing has to offer. ESPN's The Outdoorline from KIRO 710 broadcast live and fished the derby, adding to a large crowd for the official weigh in at Friday Harbor Seafood.
All proceeds from this selective retention tournament will go to Salmon enhancement and hatchery projects.

Results:

1. Walt Vanwingerden, Tommy Vanwingerden, Bellingham, WA 22.34 lbs, $10,000
2. Steve Grey, Mark Schinman, Robert Norling, Everett, WA 21.05 lbs $ 2500
3. Jerry Sangiacomo, Tommy Donlin, Jeff Stule, Don Mooney, Bremerton, WA 16.01 lbs $ 1500
Total Weight: Lance Husby, Derek Floyd, Scott Bumstead, Marysville, WA 63.52 lbs $1000


As far as the busted chair goes.... Uh, no comment...

Here's some video from the shotgun start on day one of the Resurrection Derby. HAMMER TIME BABY
http://video.theoutdoorline.com/view_vi ... ategory=mr

Just a couple more shots from the "aftermath" of the Resurrection Derby:

Walt Vanwingerden gets his side pot -in cash- from Santa's little helpers


At Herb's Bar and Grill on Saturday night, Friday Harbor is just one big, happy family!

Wow, looks like a great time!

Mary...Santa's little helper

Sorry Nelly, but I'll have to reveal the story about Cranky Elf on the show on Saturday. Just too golden to pass up

Thanks for the good times, fellas! We had a freakin' blast and hope to be back next year. Too bad I missed the structural failure of the under-designed chair. Freakin' CLASSIC!

Unpacking boxes of fishing stuff in the garage today and found a few of the old Rosario patches. Those were the good old days...and these are the good new days

Too bad I missed the structural failure of the under-designed chair. Freakin' CLASSIC!

Just another night on the town with Captain Chaos Tommy
Photo courtesy of Dash One Graphic Design