CLEARLAKE OAKS— From as far away as Michigan, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and all over California, this year’s 36th Annual Catfish Derby brought in hundreds of people who registered to fish for the biggest Clear Lake catfish. This year the top prize, a cash award of $4000, went to Ricardo Pelayo of San Jose who brought in a 27.29 pound fish.
Registration for the three day fishing derby began on Thursday, May 16. By Friday morning most, including Pelayo, had registered and were on the lake.
Pelayo encountered some car problems on the drive in from San Jose and when he launched his boat, things went from bad to worse.
“My boat engine started giving me trouble right away,” he said. “After launching, the motor stalled. I kept working on it. It would travel short distances then stall. It sputtered along until it finally quit.”
“I’d come a long way to fish so I decided to start fishing at the spot where the engine finally gave out,” he added. “After such a fitful start, I wasn’t expecting much.”
To his surprise, Pelayo soon caught a big catfish. Rather than continue fishing, he decided to start working on the engine again, hoping to get it going. “I managed to get the engine started for the trip back,” Pelayo said.
“It was Friday, the first day of the Derby and all I could think is that this might be the extent of my fishing,” he said. “I was disappointed, thinking I might not be able to fish again. I knew I had a pretty good-sized fish but had no idea it would place first. Besides, you always want to nab a bigger fish.”
At Derby headquarters, Pelayo’s name took the top placement on the adult division leader board. Some Derby volunteers speculated it would be a hard number to top; others said it was just too early to know. And of course talk of that big record-breaking 33.57 pound catfish caught days earlier, and the possibility someone could break that record during the Derby, prevailed throughout the three days of fishing.
Asked if he would continue to fish, Pelayo said, “Yes, I sure want to.” At that point he didn’t know if he could get his boat engine fixed.
Saturday it rained and Pelayo couldn’t get his boat engine running so he and his young cousin did a little fishing on a friend’s boat. “I was pretty disappointed and kept calling in to see if anyone had brought in a bigger fish,” he said.
On the other hand, his young cousin, a first time fisherman, caught two catfish – not big enough to place – but big enough to make him want to come back next year for another try. “He’s definitely hooked,” Pelayo said.
Sunday was the last day of fishing. To place, fishermen and women had to be in line by noon. Pelayo arrived at Derby headquarters in Clearlake Oaks about 11 a.m., after receiving a call from organizer Dennis Locke.
“When Dennis said it was unlikely anyone was going to top my catch, I began thinking about what I might do with that $4,000 cash prize,” Pelayo said. “I had my doubts, there was still an hour of fishing left.”
At noon, when it was clear Pelayo’s fish was the top catch, he said, “I was thinking I’d buy a new engine for my boat – but maybe I’ll just buy a new boat.”
Pelayo has been fishing the Derby five years. “I’ll be back next year,” he said. “Rain or shine, I’ll be back.”
In the 10 years and under kids division, 7-year old Blake Re of Nice won $100 for his 22.82 pound catfish. Rowdy Addington, a 12-year old from Patterson also won $100 for his 16.21 fish in the 11 to 15 year division.
This year, a new award, Spirit of the Clearlake Derby, was given to “Team Hood Cats” from Hood River Oregon – Three generations of cat fishing enthusiasts who have been attending the Derby for about 15 years. Decked out in matching T-shirts and hats, the group plans on returning next year – with four generations.
“As always, we had a great time putting on the Derby. The rain kept some away, but we still had a big crowd. Just under 800 registered this year, 67% of the entries were from outside Lake County,” said Locke. “This number does not reflect families and friends who came along to support the Derby and enjoy Lake County,” he said. “That number is probably well over 1000.”
“On Saturday, we had our first “celebrity weigh in” said Locke.
District Attorney Susan Krones, Sheriff Brain Martin and District 3 Supervisor, E.J. Crandell worked in heavy rain, weighing fish as they came in. “You get the sense the entire community is invested in the event,” Locke said. “This year we had the youngest booster in memory, 4-month old Henry St. Clair. Along with his mom and dad, Henry was on hand every day, braving the rain and cheering us on. Now that’s what community is all about.”
Volunteers from all around the lake stopped in to help, including students from Lower Lake High School.
Natalia Schofield, a third-year volunteer, leads the other volunteers and this year was the Derby photographer. “When anyone needs a break, she steps in. She also helps to announce the winners at the awards ceremony. She knows as much about the Derby as anyone,” Locke said.
“Of course, the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association members were here in big numbers. We couldn’t ask for better sponsors,” Locke said. “One long-time member from Lakeport, Mary Heare-Amodio, volunteered to help with data entry and worked several days and many hours,” he said. “It always amazes me how our community comes together to ensure the Derby is a success.”
As in past years, the Northshore Fire Protection District again served as Derby headquarters. Jim Burton, former firefighter and retired Chief of the District, was on hand every day to help out. “I remember when the fire station was built, back in the mid-40s, brick by brick,” he said. “People like Jim Jonas, a former volunteer firefighter who lives here in the Oaks, along with his wife, Gail, have been mainstays, working hard to make sure everything goes without a hitch. To us, this place is the heart of our community and it’s fitting to host the Derby here, in the Fire Station we basically grew up in and support.”
Locke remarked that it was great to see Leah Robbins and Jesse Viescas, two firefighters from Local 5111, selling special T-shirts to support training for their members. “They’re definitely top notch and very much an essential asset to the community. We want to give a heartfelt thanks to them and everyone from the fire station who helped out this year.”
Hailed as the biggest Catfish Derby west of the Mississippi and arguably the best-attended event of its kind in North America, the Derby attracts anglers, their families and friends as well as hundreds more spectators who enjoy the family oriented sport.
More than $10,000 in prize money was awarded to the winners. First place prize is $4,000; second place is $1,000 and third is $800. A total of 20 anglers placed in the adult category with prizes scaling down to $40. In the kid divisions, prizes start at $100 and scale down to $10.
For more information visit our website, www.clearlakeoaks.org/derby, find us on Facebook, Catfish Derby in the Oaks or on Twitter, CLOGBA.
