Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
Launching a boat to spend a day or two fishing might not be everyone’s cup of tea for the middle of January but it’s the ideal time of year to catch a fish. Winter fishing has long been a well-kept secret of those in the know, for size and number of fish but also because there are no summer tourists to compete with.
For four years, organizer Tracy Roberts has been holding the Gord Roberts Memorial Blue Knuckle Fishing Derby on the Arrow Lakes in honor of her husband who lost his life after a short illness in 2011. Gord was an avid fisherman — they used to run the tackle shop together. The busy summer tourist season left precious little time to get out on the lake and then they discovered that wintertime was the best fishing on the Arrow Lakes. Roberts started the Blue Knuckle Derby with the slogan, “Think you’re tough enough?” Always a baseball fan, he kept the blue theme in everything he did, named after his favourite team, the Blue Jays after they won the World Series in 1992.
It is hard to overlook the fact that the marina and boat launch that BC Hydro is legally required to provide all communities impacted by their dam system is woefully inadequate to use during low water, and this has organizers frustrated. Were it not for the kindness of local residents and business owners Isaque and Carla Vieira offering up their own residential water access, it’s hard to say how participants would be able to access the water. Interfor will again provide the wharf which is 150 feet by 7 feet and brought in by tugboat.
“Search and Rescue wouldn’t even be able to launch a boat into the lake from there,” Tracy Roberts’ father Joe Williams said. “That’s just dangerous and irresponsible.”
“I don’t want this to fail because of a boat launch issue. I am just glad that we can help out,” Carla Vieira said.
124 people from as far away as Alberta flood Nakusp for the weekend, boats in tow for fun and comradery plus a chance at the prizes for the three biggest fish. Another huge draw is the entertainment — 23 North is scheduled to play at the Legion for the mid-way celebration starting at 9:00 p.m. All are welcome, whether participating in the derby or not.
“Last year, the lake was pretty foggy and a lot of guys lost gear because of poor visibility,” Roberts said in a telephone interview from Quesnel, where she lives now.
Fish stocks in the Arrow Lakes are said to be low but catching the biggest is not the only reason to join in.
“Whether you knew Gord or you didn’t, it’s a great weekend,” Roberts said. “If you catch a fish, that’s a bonus. As long as I hear that people had fun, that’s the best part.”
To enter, register at Nakusp General Store at 302 Broadway. Entries are $20 per person and weigh-in for fish over 10 lb. takes place at the Nakusp Marina on the waterfront both Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Boats can be launched first thing Saturday morning and a map to the location off 13 Ave. is available upon registration.