The 3rd Annual Louie Oakes Memorial Fishing Derby

The tournament took place on August 18th and 19th at the Tackle Box Marina and Riverside Convenience Store on River Road, Tsi Snaihne. The owners, Tom and Danielle Oakes, have sponsored this fishing derby in memory of Tom’s father Louie, who was known as a legendary fisherman and guide in the local waters near his home. At the time of his passing, his wife Jean remained along with 13 children with the youngest, Tom, yet to be born. Tom had only pictures to look at and heard the stories about his father from fellow fishermen. “Back in the day,” fishing was a common way of life and his trade kept his family fed.

Normally, there would have been more entries but it still was a good turnout. Two other tournaments were going on this same weekend, one in St. Zotique and another in Waddington. The two-day event sponsored an adult and youth division. The youth division rule was to have the most fish caught including a lunker for an entry of $25.00. The adult category included a total weight of six fish to qualify for a lunker (no carp or sturgeon) and 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for an entry of $125.00. The fishermen and ladies brought forth their fish for weigh-ins promptly by 4pm each day. Participants as far away as Oklahoma had entered the contest.

The fishing derby is a 100% pay out back to all prizes and trophy costs. Tom and Chubby take the time to prepare for the contest about two weeks prior. People were heard asking when the next derby will be. The organization was obvious during the two days. There are five summer students, who worked through the MCA’S Economic Development Program at Tackle Box,

“Our business wouldn’t be able to grow or to be able to get things fixed without the help of the students,” said Chubby. They work on the yard, work the chip stand and perform cashier duties as required throughout the day. It gives us all a sense of pride for our business and to show our appreciation, we’ll have an end of the year gathering for them. We would like to thank Ultimate Sales for their donation of flooring for the chip stand that the students had a hand in laying down.

The students this summer are: Braiden Sunday, Clint Martin, Kori Jackson, Shaydi Oakes and Chad Adams. Thank you to Gloria Thompson-Cornwall Island Recreation for sponsoring the youth in conjunction with fishing derby.

 Thank you also goes out to Jerry Jackson for assisting and for the use of the weighing machine.

People who have come to the convenience store at the Marina say it is like a mini Wal-Mart. The store has so many supplies, poles, bait and groceries. They even serve ice cream! The future of the store is to make it bigger and to operate a small stove where it can accommodate Winter Ice Fishermen to warm up, eat and share stories while getting warm.

The water level is down about 12” compared to last year. The Environment divisions at SRMT and MCA are concerned about the abnormalities that are becoming visible on the water life creatures. If anyone spots tumors, deformities, skin or mouth lesions, pigmentations, ulcers or scars, please report it to the environmental offices.

It was a great weekend weather-wise for the derby and produced some winners as well as the enjoyment of being on the water. Congratulation winners!

Each person entered received a prize bag full of $35.00 worth of fishing gear.

Adult Division

Lunker-Breanne Burns-$180.00 and a smoker oven

1st Place-Breanne Burns-$500.00 -24.72 lbs. total

2nd Place-Nolan Thompson-$300.00-20.16 lbs. total

3rd Place-Jerry Jackson-$200.00-19.46 lbs. total

Youth Division

Lunker-Cayde David-$50.00-Sleeping Bag & Fishing Pole

1st Place-Cayde David-$40.00 & prize bag-40 fish total

2nd Place-Lincoln Cook-$30.00 & prize bag-16 fish total

3rd Place-Landon Cook-$20.00 & prize bag-15 fish

Thank you goes to anyone who became involved with the 3rd annual Louie Oakes Memorial Fishing Derby.