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NorCal Man Takes Home Top Prize In Catfish Derby
POSTED: 11:56 am PDT May 23,
2007
UPDATED: 2:01 pm PDT May 23,
2007
CLEAR LAKE, Calif. -- "Fish On" was the phrase everyone wanted to say at the 2007 annual Clearlake Oaks Catfish Derby over the weekend.With 487 adults registered and 96 children in the Kids Division, this year's derby set a record. Anglers from as far away as Maryland, Nebraska, Montana, Oregon and Nevada participated in the tournament, according to the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.SLIDESHOW: Big Fish Gallery |
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This year's top prize -- a new boat with a motor and trailer -- went to James Pashke, of Woodland.Pashke has the option of selling back the package for about $3,000. Asked whether he will keep or sell the boat, Pashke said, "I have to realize that I won it first."Pashke hooked a 28.23-pound catfish near Rattlesnake Island for the grand prize. The monster was Pashke's first fish ever caught on Clear Lake.William Bhader III, of San Jose, came in second place with a 26.15-pound catfish, and James Champlin, also of San Jose, weighed in a 24.63-pounder for third.This year's winner in the Kids Division won a new quad all-terrain vehicle. While the kids have participated in their own division in past years, this year's prize is an addition.Chance Barrett, of Kelseyville, caught a 15.16-pound catfish for the top prize. Barrett doesn't really fish much, except for the derby each year, he told NBC11. He was hard-core for the tournament, pulling in his winning cat at 3:30 a.m. Saturday.The weather at this year's derby was typical for Clear Lake. It was warm and sunny just about everywhere -- except for on the lake. But it didn't blow hard enough to deter the determined men, women and children who love to fish and love the opportunity to win.The annual event continus to be a big point of interest for fishermen who want to discuss everything from their tactics to the winners on Catfish Ed.com.The derby is a major fundraiser, with all proceeds going back into the community to help fund the annual Fourth of July fireworks display and help assist local schools, senior center and community groups.For the list of winners in this year's derby, check the Catfish Derby Results page.
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Copyright 2007 by NBC11.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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