April 26, 2009
Long Beach California
Shoreline Yacht Club
2009 SYC 11th Annual Anglers Halibut Derby

Greetings from the Anglers Chair,

After much preparation the 11th Annual Shoreline Yacht Club Anglers Halibut Derby for 2009 got underway April 25th. Cooler weather was forecasted as anxious anglers set off in search of the elusive halibut. The hot days from the previous weekend were gone hopefully offering more comfortable fishing. Some traveled all the way to Catalina in hopes of getting the big one while others returned to their favorite local spots in hopes of duplicating previous years.

We start planning the next event as early as a year ahead and start preparing for the derby in the fall. As the economy has affected many businesses and individuals, the fishing, boating and tackle manufactures and distributers were also impacted. It was obvious that getting the enormous amount of prizes reminiscent of previous years would be challenging. We set out planning with what we thought would be an abbreviated prize package and put together an incredible list of prizes that included very limited edition artwork from Dr. Guy Harvey of the Grand Caymans, Newport Beach Maritime Artist Scott Kennedy and the late Chuck Byron, tackle that included rods from Calstar, Fenwick, Penn International and Sabre, reels from Penn, Abu-Garcia and Okuma, hooks from Eagle Claw and Mustad, vessel care products from Re-Structure Marine (John Peoples, SYC) and Mark Silvey Marine Services of Newport Beach, Sea Tow Newport towing memberships for all entrants and captains club memberships and lighting products from Coast Cutlery Products.

This year 50 anglers signed up for the 11th Annual SYC Halibut Derby on various boats. Returning Derby Champions from previous years included Fred Hesse, Ed Farrell, Fred Johring, Pat Lund and others were entered once again hoping to return to glory. Past bass champions included guest anglers Tim Kyelberg and Paul Thompson who returned in search of the winning fish once again plus Rear Commodore Jack Daniel Smith joined the tournament ranks fishing both days in this year’s event.

The weather started getting rough………
With high anticipation all the anglers hit the water early with hopes of catching the largest halibut and bass only to find increasing wind and building seas. What was forecasted to be a cool overcast weekend turned out to be a clear cloudless sky although someone turned on the wind machine. Big time. In the spirit of competition, everyone slugged it out as long as they could before giving in and seeking refuge of harbors and slips. Teams reporting back to the club were tired and frustrated, but not beaten and began planning their strategy for day 2. Radio reports of halibut being caught were false and with the exception of one legal bass caught by guest angler Robert Byrnes fishing on “Spot” captained by SYC member, Bill Miller that was weighed and released at 1 lb 6 oz and 14inches, no others showed up at the weigh station. But as some anglers gave up for the day, others continued to pick away in hopes of pulling off the hat trick of the weekend. The long-range derby entrants were noticeably quiet, again. I wasn’t sure if they were getting thrashed at Catalina or were celebrating success. They had until Sunday at 2:00PM to make the weigh-in. With the weather deteriorating throughout the day I had more concern about the anglers than the success of the derby. Conditions were reported as brutal by the anglers who limped back to their slips in the marina.

Relief in sight…………
Day two found improved conditions locally but still rough on the outside. There was a noticeable difference in the improved fishing conditions as the scales opened at noon. The bass bite had improved to the point that we were very busy weighing and measuring many bass. The average that was just under 2 pounds at 14 inches was the standard size, but a fish brought in took over the top bass spot briefly that weighed 2 lbs 5 oz at 18 inches long by Tim Kyelberg, the 2007 Bass Winner fishing on the vessel “Saltshaker” out of Huntington Harbor. Tim also weighed in a 3 lb 11oz halibut that didn’t make the cut. Tim’s team mate Bill Lesher put a 25 inch 6 lb 5 oz halibut on the board that took the lead, but only for a short time. Not long after, SYC Member Jim Lewis reported in with a halibut that weighed 4lbs 4 oz at 22 5/16 long but didn’t meet the derby required length of 23 inches though the fish was about the legal 22 inches in length.

Down to the wire……….
Soon after, the SYC team of Tony Fabian and Rick Rounsevelle brought in a 7 lb 4 oz halibut that measured 26 inches caught by Rick Rounsevelle to take over the top spot knocking Team Saltshaker down to 2nd place in the halibut division. Then team Picante, captained by the 2007 champion, Fred Johring hit the docks to present their fish that included 3 halibut. The largest caught by SYC Member Dave Gallagher weighed in at 15lbs 12 oz and measured 32 _ inches taking over first place. Dave actually caught 2 halibut with the second fish being nearly 7 lbs at 26 inches but each angler could only present one fish. Also on Picante returning guest angler Ken Cowles caught a 4lb 11 oz halibut that also didn’t make the cut. At 1:45 Team Solmar head up by SYC members Jason Nie and Ned Geoghegan hit the docks with guest angler and 2008 Bass Division Winner Paul Thompson to present a bass that weighed 2lbs 9 oz at 18 _ inches to take over the top bass spot from Tim Kyelberg with a difference of only 4 ounces and with only minutes to spare Team Booyaa with team members Ed Farrell of SYC who is the defending champion, SYC’s Nigel Marshall, and guest anglers James Martindale, Billy Mitchell, Brian Nebuna and Augie Yazloff all presented bass for weigh in consideration. The team posed with their catch but as we weighed each fish they all were within the same weight of just under 2lbs. which was not enough to out dual the top bass of Paul Thompson fishing with team Solmar who would go on to take 1st place in the bass division.

Full House…………….
After the scales closed the awards were held at the club. Jeri Johring and Dawn Gallagher assembled a wonderful BBQ sandwich luncheon for all the anglers. They did a wonderful job and everyone appreciated their efforts and the great food. Debbie Lorenz and team worked the crowd over selling raffle tickets to everyone there. This was the largest turnout ever in the eleven year history of the derby. Many SYC members came to watch the weigh-in and stayed for the presentation of the awards with many purchasing raffle tickets. Everyone got in the sprit. Nikki Tenant’s gang of bartenders were kept busy by the crowd. Special Thanks to Bill & Karen Hallowell for staying over from the morning shift and for George Merino for keeping the bar open throughout the afternoon. We had a packed house; standing room only.

The finale…………..
The raffle was an exciting way to close out the 2009 awards. We gave away over $1500.00 in raffle prizes that included Scott Kennedy Artwork, Penn International Rods, Re-Structure Marine Products, tackle bags, shirts, hats, hooks, fishing line, lighting systems, you name it, we gave it away. We also auctioned off the Friends of Rollo Custom Fishing Rod to the highest bidder, Dawn Gallagher who was one of the derby volunteers and whose husband Dave won the 2009 Derby. All totaled we gave away or raffled/auctioned off nearly $5,800.00 in prizes. To the many SYC Members who turned out to watch or bought raffle tickets, thank you. The response was overwhelming. To the anglers who spent the time, money and effort in the spirit of competition; thank you very much. This derby would not be at the level of success that it is without the great anglers and members participating year after year like you do.
I truly appreciate your efforts. Special thanks to Stacey Dowdall for assisting with managing the sign up list. Also big thanks to Vice Commodore Mike Malbon for getting the sound system set up for me and being there to answer all my questions. And last but certainly not least, a special thanks to my wife, Beverly for her help and support to make this event possible. She keeps me sane during the preparations. 2008 was going to be my last year but now I am thinking about 2010.

Happy Fishing,
Dan