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RANKIN INLET
More than $40,000 was awarded in prize money at the annual fishing derby in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Qilak Kusugak displays the two catches that earned him second- and fourth-place prize money at the annual fishing derby in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The derby had to be postponed a week from its traditional start time of the Victoria Day long weekend due to a freak late-season storm that dumped about 92 centimetres of snow on the area.

Rankin recreation coordinator David Clark said a number of active searches for missing people in the area also played a role in postponing the event.

He said all things considered, this year's event went very well.

"We met with both the fishing derby committee and hamlet council to discuss some of the worries people had about travelling in all the slush and snow," said Clark.

"We took some extra precautions to ensure everything was as safe as we could possibly make it.

"People who went out trout fishing had to come and register at the arena, tell us where they were going and who they were with, so if anyone got stuck we'd have a good idea where they were.

"We also highly recommended for people to travel with more than one snowmobile and have a satellite phone, GPS or SPOT locator."

Clark said most of the concern centred around melting snow and ice following the storm.

He said the last thing anyone wanted to see was someone stranded out on the land during the derby.

"I talked to search and rescue, as well as a number of local people.

"Some people did get stuck due to the conditions, but nothing to the point where they had to call for help.

"Nobody got lost, either, so, all in all, it was all really good news I heard."

Clark said the measuring of the fish outside the arena was, as always, very well attended.

He said the hamlet puts a lot of money into the derby, and everyone seems pretty happy with the way this year's event played out.

"We had just under 700 people register for trout fishing, and we also had a lot of people out cod fishing.

"We announced on local radio for anyone who caught a fish under 20 inches to put it back in the water, because you don't have winners any smaller than that.

"The approach seemed to work because we didn't have as many people bringing fish to measure."

Clark said he agrees with people who don't like to see the fish being thrown in the garbage if they don't measure up to the winning prizes.

He said he enjoys codfish, and would like to see every fish brought back to the hamlet eaten.

"My family and I caught a bunch, so we made a pile of fish and chips," said Clark.

"We don't want to see anyone just leaving their catch out on the land, or bringing them back and throwing them in the garbage.

"At the same time, I'm just one person, and not a member of the fish police, so, I can't do anything about it."

"I do ask people to put any fish back in the water that isn't big enough to be measured, or they know isn't going to be eaten."

Noel Kaludjak took top spot in the trout division with a catch of 43.75 inches, while Paul Kanayok had the biggest cod at 26 3/16.

Qilak Kusugak earned $6,000 in total prize money for having the second- and third-largest trout.

Kusugak, 38, said this was the first time he entered the derby in about 20 years.

He said he doesn't have any secret fishing holes or tips to pass along, but winning $6,000 made a great time out on the land even better.

"I went to my in-laws camp and simply followed the rules," said Kusugak.

"There's markers out there at good fishing locations where people have been going for a long time, and you can just follow them."

Kusugak said it's a great experience when you land a big one.

He said it's insane when the fish opens its mouth as it's coming out of the water, and it's just as big as the fishing hole.

"I've never, ever, caught fish that big in my life.

"When I was younger, I was just out there drilling holes and doing young man or young boy stuff.

"I couldn't have cared less about putting a hook in the water at that age.

"But this was crazy because when the fish comes out, and you see the belly and the top of the fish are touching both sides of the hole, it's just amazing."

Kusugak said he was hopeful his two fish were big enough to take a prize.

But, he said, you never know because some people find special spots and always bring home monsters.

"It's all very cheerful when about half the town is out there fishing, but people can also be very reserved about sharing information on what they've caught, too.

"My wife (Denise) loves going out fishing, while I've always been the one a bit hesitant because it takes a lot of prep time.

"But, this year, we forked out the money for a new snowmobile and we're getting our gear in order, so I'll be out there again next year."

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