Over a hundred people turned out for the first annual March Madness Derby sponsored by the Nakusp Esso. Folks from Washington, Alberta, the coast and many from the Kootenays registered and got their boats into the water for a couple of days of March weather and sport.
Ali and Dustin Raskob, the owner-operators of the gas station, pinned all the credit on Michael and Shawna Lagore. The Lagores are avid fishers, and love to travel to derbies but wanted one on their own lake. The irony is, organizing the event meant they weren’t able to do any fishing themselves.
The March Madness Derby was a community event, and all the funds raised after the prize money was subtracted, a total of $840, went to the Nancy Green Racers, the NSS ski and snowboards teams, and Summit Lake Ski Area.
Glen and Gail Olson once again donated weigh-in space at the marina, and even sanded the boat launch by hand to make it safe for fishers to get in and out of the water during the changeable weather.
At the end of the day on Sunday March 18, Shawna Lagore announced the winners and dished out the prizes. Third place and $600 went to Ralph Dachwitz for his 13 pound, one ounce Dolly. Tom Neid collected second prize and a cool grand for his 14 pound, three ounce Dolly. The big winner of the day was 13-year-old Jayden Maida who reeled in a 14 pound, ten ounce Dolly and walked away with a smoking $1,600.
“We have had nothing but positive feedback with most people saying they will be back for next years derby,” said Shawna Lagore, which made it sound like next March Nakusp will be in for the Second Annual March Madness Derby.