Big Boyz tournament attracts 420 anglers

By Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY — The 17th Annual Big Boyz Fishing Tournament wrapped up on Monday, August 2 with a lot of local names atop the leader board.

The annual walleye and salmon tournament attracted 420 participants, which might very well be the largest turnout ever.

The Southwest Outdoors Club (SWOC) hosted the tournament out of Wheatley Harbour for the first time since 2018 and a total of $8,500 in cash prizes was given out.

The tournament — normally a nine-day affair — started on Thursday, July 29 and ran through until 2 pm on Monday, August 2.

Members of the Southwest Outdoors Club take a measurement on a walleye (pickerel) brought in just before the 2 pm deadline on Monday, August 2.

SUN photo

“We had great weather,” said SWOC President Dan Reive. “We only lost part of a day to windy conditions.”

The two big winners caught their fish on the last day, prompting a lot of rearranging on the leader board.

Lee Penfold’s 30-inch Rainbow Trout took the top salmon prize as he edged out previous leader Craig Adamson. He received a nice trophy and $1,500 cash for his efforts.

On the other side of the board, Richard Rivard’s Walleye measured out at 30-and six-sixteenths to knock Laura Wright off the top spot by a full inch. He also received a trophy and $1,500 cash prize.

Lee Penfold, middle, is flanked by Jack Szorvas, left, and Dan Reive, right, both of SWOC, while he displays his winning salmon.

Richard Rivard, middle, is flanked by Jack Szorvas, left, and Dan Reive, right, both of SWOC, while he displays his winning walleye.

There were also prizes given out to those who finished second-to-tenth in each category and those who caught the biggest fish daily.

Among the daily leaders who took home $100 each were Brad Dugal, Steve Dugal, Terry Taylor, Laura Wright, Matt Gould, Tate Garant, Craig Adamson, Steve Derbyshire, Lee Penfold and Richard Rivard.

Overall third place fish were scored by Matt Gould (salmon) and Dave Moore (walleye).