Brewster King Salmon Derby nets 20-plus pound winners

Catch count is 155

Derby organizer Mike Mauk presents King of the Pool winner Gage Howe his plaque and $2,000 check. Photos by Mike Maltais/QCH

Twins Hayes and Cutter Benson, first and second place winners among the free participants, and bracket third-place winner Eric Bunker.

More than two dozen young fishermen were among this year’s derby participants.

Posted Tuesday, August 15, 2023 11:32 am

Mike Maltais, Staff Writer

BREWSTER – The 17th annual Brewster King Salmon Derby closed another successful run on Sunday, August 6, with the final weigh-in and awards ceremony at the boat launch gazebo.

Gage Howe of Chattaroy, won King of the Pool honors and the $2,000 payoff with a 21.22-pound, 40-inch fish among the 10 largest kings that were separated by 3.38 pounds.

The derby drew 256 entrants this year, 20 of those in the youth category. Between them they landed 155 salmon weighing a total of 1,889 pounds for an average weight of 12.19 pounds.

Lakota Eldred of Wellpenit, won the youth division with a 20-pound fish. Twins Hunter and Cooper Fawcett finished second and third with respective catches of 19.84 and 18.50 pounds.

Derby organizer Mike Mauk said this year’s event experienced a few hiccups but overall went smoother than the year previous. SimpleDerby (simplederby.com) provided the management software that kept all the catches and participants in order.

“Fishing was tough this year with some very seasoned local fishermen not bringing in any fish to weigh in,” said Mauk. “We did get a video clip of a bear walking along a beach by Bridgeport.”

Mauk thanks city public works and director Lee Webster for their great job keeping the park grounds in beautiful shape all year around.

The 2024 18th Brewster King Salmon Derby is August 2-4. Tickets go on sale December 1.