The salmon and the halibut sports fishing on the South Coast of B.C. is as fine a fishing challenge as anywhere in the world, and the Island features a number of great fishing derbies. But few fishing derbies on Vancouver Island are as eagerly anticipated by anglers as The Alpine Group Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament.
Anglers come to it from all over British Columbia and even as far as Ontario and Washington state to pit their fishing skills against other equally passionate fishermen. So what makes the Alpine Group Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament one of the top Vancouver Island fishing contests? For starters, it's got excellent timing. The tournament kicks off the start of summer on Father's Day weekend. June 20th and June 21st are two days of spectacular salmon fishing for anglers who register. Headquarters are located at Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina in Metchosin, about 8 miles west from Victoria Harbour.
Second, the organization of the event can't be beat. It is a huge undertaking coordinated by the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition (SVIAC) and The Alpine Group, two organizations which have a strong presence in the local community. The SVIAC has been advocating and working tirelessly for healthy fish populations, sustainable fresh water and tidal fisheries and equitable access to Canada's common property fish resource. For over 30 years, The Alpine Group, a recycling and waste service organization, has been giving to the local community through hockey team support, the Bottle Drive It and Win program, the Christmas Hamper Turkey Run, to name just a few.
Third, the Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament offers phenomenal prizes with $20,000 awarded for the biggest salmon, $5,000 to the largest hatchery fish, $2,500 for the largest halibut and various prizes to the top ten largest salmon weighed in by the end of the weekend. Everyone can get into the action. There's a Ladies Category offering a prize worth $1700 for the heaviest salmon caught by a female angler and a Junior Category offering a prize valued at $850 for the heaviest salmon caught by a junior angler.
The fourth reason (it's a really good one!) is even if participants get skunked, they can still come off the water as winners. There are all kinds of door prizes being given out to sweeten the event, even for those who don't catch any fish at all (including some great gear from PEETZ, of course).
With attractive prize goodies like this, tickets for the event go quickly. Tickets are $200 per rod and can be purchased through PayPal, cheque in the mail, in person at either Island Outfitters or Wise Buy Fishing Supplies or by contacting key person with the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition. Complete registration and schedule information can be found from the coalition's website.
