35th annual Belwood Lions Pike Derby

Cale Selby of Elora kicked off the annual pike derby at 6:50am on a very chilly Saturday morning by registering a 23-3/4” catch at the Belwood Hall Derby headquarters.

From that point on, Northern Pike were put up on the board every hour of the day for a total 30 on Saturday alone.

A much warmer Sunday was a totally different story as only seven more qualifying Pike made it to the board by 4pm.

More than 535 men, women and children from across southern Ontario entered the two-day tournament.

Adult prize winners

First prize went to Gary Bilton, Georgetown, 29-1/4” - measured at 8:20am Sunday. He earned a trophy and $2,000 cash.

Steve Welker of Guelph, earned second prize with a 29” catch measured at 7:30am Saturday. He earned a fishing charter on Lake Ontario.

Third prize went to Becker Nguyen of Guelph. His 28-1/2” fish was measured at 2:45pm Saturday. He earned a Lowrance Fish Finder donated by Lake Belwood Recreation – a 35 yr. sponsor.

Andrew Kovats of  Cambridge placed fourth with a 28” catch measured at 5:45pm Saturday. The prize was a Quantum Rod & Reel .

For the youth category, first prize went to Jesse Bowman, Drayton, a  22-3/4” catch measured at 9:am Saturday. He earned a trophy and a Fenwick Fishing System donated by Royal City Fishing Club - a 15 yr. sponsor.

There was also a “Toy Scramble” for the children under eight.

Early Bird winner was Wayne Mills of Brampton and the 50/50 draw winner was  Don Lizzotti of Thorold ($300.00).

The chainsaw draw winner was Richard Austin of Woodstock.