Anglers defy drawdown at Koocanusa Derby
FISHING -- Despite the extremely low water level of 121 feet below full pool and only 3 ramps accessible for anglers, 373 contestants in 192 boats competed in the 9th annual Trout and Salmon Derby out of Lake Koocanusa Resort last weekend.
Doug Florey of Bonners Ferry won the event’s top Trout Division prize of $2,088 with 11 pounds of fish.
Second Place, $1,492, went to Max Schnader of Troy, Mont., with 9.4 pounds.
Very few Kokanee were caught, owing to the cool weather and layr development of nutrients in the lake, according to Randie and Randy Burch, the resort’s owners and contest sponsors.
The competition, however, was incredibly close.
Bobby George of Priest River won first place prize of $746 in the Salmon Division with 20 kokanee weighing 3.8 pounds.
Second place, $448, went to Neil Norman of Kellogg with 3.6 pounds. Third place, $299, went to Vern Gregg of Potlatch with 3.5 pounds.