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Aug. 25 fishing derby in Comox

Investors Group Central Vancouver Island North is hosting the second annual Salt Water Showdown Fishing Derby, Aug. 25 at Marina Park in Comox. Proceeds will be shared by the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue-Station 60 in Comox.
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Investors Group Central Vancouver Island North is hosting the second annual Salt Water Showdown Fishing Derby, Aug. 25 at Marina Park in Comox. Proceeds will be shared by the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue-Station 60 in Comox.

There was $30,000 in cash and prizes with over 200 anglers that took to the Salish Sea for the inaugural derby last year, with $8,400 raised for the two organizations.

Derby crew will be at the 26th annual Courtenay Outdoor Fish and Game Show, June 2 and 3, with a one-time early bird registration price of $125 (a $25 savings). One derby package gives you four fish registration cards to weigh in your catch and enter to win many draw prizes. The overall Grand draw prize (whether you catch fish or not) is a 9.9 Yamaha kicker, sponsored by Yamaha and Parksville Boathouse. Visit us at the Investors Group tent Saturday, June 2 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 3 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

This year, the derby will host a BBQ by donation sponsored by Thrifty Foods, silent and live auctions and a boat show display from Parksville Boathouse on the lawns at Marina Park. Fishing boundaries for August 25th include North as far as areas 13-3, 13-14, 13-15, 15-13 and South as far as 14-1, 14-2, 16-1. Purchase your tidal water sport fishing licence and salmon conservation stamp at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Regular derby tickets will go on sale August 1st at Gone Fishin and Investors Group Financial Services on Cliffe Avenue.

The derby’s very own fish “weigh in” master, Ken Derksen of Investors Group, has been recognized for his long standing involvement with the Brooklyn Watershed Society that receives funding from PSF. He has been with Investors Group since 2007 after a career in fisheries and marine research. He lives in the Comox Valley where he’s doing his part for the environment by sitting on the board of directors for the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society, which he helped found in 2007.

“Brooklyn Creek runs through the Town of Comox and is heavily utilized by the community. The creek was in pretty rough shape 10 years ago, and many people didn’t realize it was home to Coho and Chum salmon.”

Over the years, the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society has undertaken projects to restore the salmon spawning and rearing habitat, such as installing a counting fence to track annual smolt out-migration (young salmon returning to the ocean). Each year, they also plant several hundred trees and plants, and work to remove invasive species such as English ivy that threaten native plants. On Earth Day 2018, the society invited community members to join them in removing invasive species.

“We want to restore the creek to its natural habitat, and I like to do my part to show my appreciation for the natural settings where we live,” Derksen said. “Our work is instrumental in helping restore damaged habitat, and we enjoy educating people about how to care for the watershed.”

A heartfelt thank you to our derby sponsors to date that include Islander Precision Reels, Parksville Boathouse, Yamaha, Scotty, Cliffs Chinook Charters, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Investors Group Deters Financial Team, Kingfisher Resort and Spa, Lighthouse Lures, West Coast Home and Theatres, Jamie Edwards Real Estate Corp, Brian McLean, Pollen and Co, Relay Rentals, Town of Comox, Postmark Brewery, Gone Fishin, Crown Isle, Nicole Cahoon Chartered Professional Accountant, Investors Group Gee & Associates Private Wealth Management, Investors Group Behan Baker Private Wealth Management, Gibbs Delta, Pilon Tool Rentals and Janice Hayward Photography.

There is still plenty of time to support this great cause by cash or in-kind sponsorship/donations, contact Mandy Baker of Investors Group for further details at 250-338-7811 or mandy.baker@investorsgroup.com.

Like and follow us on Facebook @fishcomoxvalley or at #salt_water_showdown.