Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Gjoa Haven (Aug 22/05) - Charmania is running wild in Gjoa Haven, and residents will be feasting on Arctic char for days to come.

The annual fishing derby brought about 100 people to the water in the quest for the biggest char on Aug. 13. More than 46 char were landed, paving the way for a feast after the competition was done.

The contest is simple: catch the biggest char and you win. Anglers hit the shore at 8 a.m. and kept casting until 8 p.m.

The winning fish was caught by Robbie Eleehetook, who won $400 for his 84.5 cm char. Rob Laboie was second with an 83.8 cm fish and Sonny Rubin slid into third with an 83.2 cm fish.

"Those are really big char," said Paul Puqiqnak, the recreation director. "We've seen them as big as 34 to 36 inches (86.5 cm to 91.5 cm) here before."

The 46 Arctic char caught in the 12-hour span marks the biggest total ever for Charmania, which has been going for over 10 years, he said.

Puqiqnak was involved in the entire process, from organizing, measuring and even fishing when time allowed, which wasn't very rewarding.

"I didn't get any fish," laughed Puqiqnak.

The event was free to enter. Puqiqnak pointed out that the youth who joined were learning a lesson as well. "They were fishing for good nutrition," said Puqiqnak.

Residents crowded on to the dock for the weigh-in, where the top 10 anglers received prizes donated by the Renewable Resource office, the Qiqirtaq Co-op and the Northern store.

One of Puqiqnak's goals for next year is to get even more prizes.

Last year's event only saw 10 char landed, with nine prizes, leaving just one successful fisherman without a reward, aside from a tasty char.