RANKIN INLET - The trout that landed Paul Pissuk top prize in the Rankin Inlet Fishing Derby this past week came oh so close to being just another one-that-got-away story.

Paul Pissuk displays the monster trout that earned him first place and $6,000 in the annual Rankin Inlet Fishing Derby this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Pissuk and three others were fishing at Fehet Lake, about 180 kilometres from Rankin.

It took the group almost 14 hours to get there, due to bad weather along the way.

The group had caught about 30 decent-sized trout - two of which were sixth- and eighth-place winners - when Pissuk hooked the big one.

He had just got the fish up and the hook out when his son, who was running near the hole, kicked it with his foot.

For one gut-wrenching second it looked like the fish was going to disappear back down into the hole.

Pissuk said his nephew, Johnny Pissuk, reacted quickly, grabbing the fish by its gills and pulling it safely back up onto the ice.

He said he was more than a little relieved to see the fish on the ice, as he knew by its size it was going to be a possible big prize winner.

"We were just lucky, that's all I can say about it," said Paul.

"I don't have any big fishing secrets, but I do use fish igunaaq I get at Robert Janes's store.

"It's a smelly yellow fish bait from the south that's like an oil you rub over your hook."

Paul has won the Rankin derby two of the past three years, with his prize catch this year measuring out at 48.125 inches.

He said with the cost of everything in Rankin Inlet, it didn't take his family long to spend the $6,000 in first place prize money.

"I've been fishing pretty much since I was a little boy, like just about everyone else up here.

"We got out to the lake about 4:30 p.m. on the Friday of that weekend, and we headed back home on Sunday afternoon.

"We were pretty happy to come back with fish big enough to win three prizes.

"Even though I don't win all the time, I look forward to the derby every year because it's a good family outing and a lot of fun, especially when you hook the big one!"

Derby results

1. Paul Pissuk (48.13/$6,000)
2. Marry Jane Kriterdluk (47.88/$4,000)
3. Harry Towtongie (45.5/$3,000)
4. Cathy Towtongie (44.5/$2,000)
5. Cathy Towtongie (43.38/$1,500)
6. Leo Mimialik (43/$1,000)
7. Johnny Pissuk (42.13/$750)
8. Paul Pissuk (41.75/$500)
9. Simon Twyee (40.88/$400)
10. Barney Tootoo (40.5/$300)

Cod:

1. Amy Kaludjak (24.75/$6,000)
2. Lucy Manilak (24.25/$4,000)
3. Mary Nilaulak (24.19/$3,000)
4. Larna Panigoniak (24.06/$2,000)
5. Elisapee Tautu (23.75/$1,500)
6. Ollie Ittinuar (23.38/$1,000)
7. Joanne Irkootee (23.38/$750)
8. Gerard Maktar (23.31/$500)
9. David Makkigak (23.25/$400)
10. Paul Kanayok (23/$150)