The annual McDonald’s Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular is being deemed a success as it sets new records.
The 10-day event wrapped up over the long weekend which Derby Co-Chair Chris Geberdt says welcomed about 55,000 people to the tent.
“Derby entrance is defiantly going to go over 5,000 this year, which is a feat in its own,” says Geberdt. “Online tickets just exploded and that seems to be the thing now where people go and get their tickets online.”
Of the 3,500 fished caught over the event, which also set a new record, the winners are Ray Hynes for his 24.8 pound salmon, Madelyn Whittle who caught a 23.64 pound lake trout, Julian Sinclair for catching a 12.72 pound rainbow trout, and Steve Bowerman for reeling in a 9.79 pound brown trout.
“The quality of fish are excellent, lots of big fish out there and the fish seem really firm and silver and they are coming up to spawn,” says Geberdt.
He anticipates good quality fish in local waters to continue over the next few years.
While Geberdt highlighted the kids day and the fishing pond they had, the event also had its fair share of hiccups. He says the thunderstorm over the weekend as well as the large freighter in the Owen Sound harbour setting sail provided a challenge.
“It always is a concern with thunderstorms and you want everyone to be safe at the end of the day and the ship, that was just another hiccup that you try and deal with. That one was difficult and the powers that be, the harbour master and the ship decided to move and we had no control on that,” says Geberdt.
He adds while the fish fry remained a popular attraction for the event, they plan on improving how it operates.
Geberdt estimates they were able to raise about $45,000 in support of the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association.
