The Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association is celebrating one of the most exciting Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge tournaments in their history. The return so far this year has been strong enough to come close to historic levels, and that means there was an abundance of eager salmon for tournament anglers to catch. The event was a success not only for the good catch rates but also for the significant amount of money raised that will be instrumental in promoting the sportfishing industry and protecting healthy fisheries that will continue to provide angler opportunity for years to come.
NSIA Executive Director, Liz Hamilton says of the tournament, “The Buoy 10 Salmon Challenge is not only our most exciting event of the year, but it is also our most important fundraiser. With the funds raised today we will be able to keep hatcheries open and continue to work for policies that will create quality angler opportunities throughout the Northwest.”
The event began at sunup Friday Aug 21st when the more than 250 participants took to the Columbia in search of kings and silvers. Weigh in started at 1pm and lasted until 4pm. When the last fish was weighed, anglers had brought 140 Chinook and 28 Coho to the scales by the deadline.
The first place winning team was captained by Josh Cooper of the Cousins Tackle team who weighed in at 18.51lbs per angler. Second place went to Cameron Black of Gone Catchin Guide Service who guided his crew to 18.49lbs per person. And rounding out the top three was Leon Eichler’s team who averaged 18.32lbs per angler.
Kyle Miller brought in the biggest fish of the tournament with a Chinook weighing in at 22.25lbs which brought with it a check for $1000, and Tyler Beck took home the $500 prize for catching the largest Coho with a silver weighing 9.70lbs.
Even though anglers enjoyed such a great day on the water, the excitement was far from over as tournament anglers then got a shot at the more than $15,000 worth of cash and prizes given away by NSIA. After the door prizes, silent auction, and big fish and team prizes nearly every tournament participant went home with a new piece of gear.
NSIA would also like to thank their sponsors for making this event a success. This support allows NSIA to have a strong voice in local, state, and federal governments, advocating for policies that keep the sportfishing industry thriving in the Northwest.
For more information about the event email info@nsiafishing.org or call 503-631-8859
NSIA would like to thank their sponsors:
Atlas Mike’s
Berkley
Brad’s Lures
Cabela’s
Clackacraft
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Duckworth
Folbe
Fred Meyer
Freshwater News
G. Loomis
Lamiglas
Lowrance
Luhr Jensen
Maxima
NW Sportsman’s Magazine
Okuma
Pro-Cure
Shimano
Steven’s Marine
STS Magazine
3 Rivers Marine
TICA
Weldcraft