ARVIAT
The annual Pike and Trout Fishing Derby was another huge success in Arviat earlier this month, with the winner of the pike category, Kenny Kablutsiak, landing a whopper measuring 114 centimetres.

Geraldine Pameolik, from left, holds up the 99.5 sm trout caught by her daughter, Kierra, that tied with fellow first-prize winners Karen Panigoniak and Ludovic Onerk at the Arviat Pike and Trout Fishing Derby in Arviat earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Andrew Uppahuak

The catch earned Kablutsiak $5,000 in prize money.

The trout category saw a three-way tie for first place, with Ludovic Onerk, Kierra Pameolik and Karen Panigoniak all landing fish measuring 99.5 centimetres and each taking home $3,666.67 in prize money.

Derby committee member Gleason Uppahuak said fishing was allowed in the derby from May 12 to 15 with landed-fish measuring taking place from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on the final day. The prize ceremony was then held on Tuesday, May 16, at the John Ollie Complex.

"We set the eligibility limit -- how far out you could go to fish in the derby -- at a 100-mile radius from Arviat again this year," said Uppahuak.

"We had a total of 152 households register for this year's fishing derby - with a registration payment of $50 per house that covered both pike and trout - which was even higher than the number we saw register during the past few years here.

"I've never seen such a monster pike caught before like the one Kenny (Kablutsiak) brought in this year at 114 cm, which is almost a four-foot pike."

Uppahuak said while everyone tries their best to land a big fish, there are more important things at stake.

"You know, everyone likes to win money and, also, be in the limelight for landing a big catch every year," he said, "but the main reason so many people take part in the fishing derby is family time together, especially with the derby coming right after a long winter in Arviat."

The annual event is good for the community in other ways as well, generating extra income for local retailers, with people buying lots of gas, grub, hooks and other gear for the event.

Assisted by a strong organizing committee, which included his brother-in-law, Chris Mikeeuneak, Ryan St. John and Dorothy St. John, everything seemed to run smoothly for Uppahuak and the derby this year.

"The prize ceremony for the derby was very well attended this year, too," he said, "with Paul K. Irksuk doing the opening prayer and leading everyone in a gospel song before the Arviat square dancers performed for awhile, and the winners were announced and the prizes handed out to everyone.

"It was a good closing ceremony for this year's derby, and now it's time for everyone to relax and catch their breath before starting to plan for the coming year and the 2018 Arviat Pike and Trout Fishing Derby."

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