Methow Valley News

Locally grown, internationally known

Absolutely hooked

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Text and photos by Marcy Stamper

The Methow Valley Eagles’ opening day fishing derby drew a great turnout last Saturday at Pearrygin Lake State Park near Winthrop. The derby was for kids up to age 15.

According to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) report for opening weekend in lowland lakes fishing, 35 anglers kept a total of 105 fish at Pearrygin Lake — an average of three fish per angler.

“Fishing was slow before 10 a.m. but it really picked up when the weather cleared,” according to the WDFW report.

The largest catch was a 13-inch rainbow trout, the WDFW said.

At Alta Lake, anglers had a harder time of it, with 20 of them keeping only 10 fish. “Heavy rains until 11 a.m. put a damper on catch rates,” the WDFW report said, “but anglers were in good spirits.” The largest catch was a 14-inch rainbow trout.

At Conconully Lake, where there were also heavy rains in the morning, 42 anglers kept 83 fish. “Kokanee sizes were great,” according to the WDFW report. The largest catch of the day was a 17-inch Kokanee.

Alex Boyko, of Everett, helped his son Andrey with his casting technique.
Four-year-old Laekyn Whipple came with her family from Orting, Wash., to compete in the derby.
Hannah, age 13, Alayna, age 8, and Owen, age 9, Anderson, from Stanwood, Wash., come to the derby every year. Hannah’s catch took top prize, at 3.3 pounds.
Left: Pearrygin Lake was stocked with about 1,300 rainbow trout a few weeks ago, but most kids caught fish that have been in the lake for a few years, judging by the size of the fish.
The run-off between the biggest fish — one-pound rainbow trout — was so close that Rich Reeves, left, and Mark Seguin had to weigh the fish to determine the winner. The two men have been running the fishing derby for the Methow Valley Eagles for two decades.
The young anglers were quick to answer Rich Reeves’ quiz about fishing — and earn a dollar in the process.
Kids with the biggest fish, by age group, got fishing rods and tackle boxes. All kids went home with bobbers and floats to help them snag their next fish.