Registration is now open for the 34th annual family friendly Riverhurst Walleye Classic Fish Derby, and this weekend tournament could just be the perfect gift for dad this Father’s Day.
Taking place on the weekend of June 15 – 16, the two-day fishing tournament promises to be “ideal for both serious and not-too-serious anglers,” according to tournament organizers, and the competition comes with food, fun in the great outdoors, and prizes to be won.
“Now is the time to reach out to your fishing partner to join us for the Village of Riverhurst’s largest fundraiser in support of recreational facilities in our community,” announced Cam Durfey, the tournament’s chairperson.
Recently, proceeds from the fundraiser derby have been used to upgrade lighting in the Riverhurst Arena, as well as to enhance audio-visual equipment used in the town’s community hall.
“Through tremendous support we receive from anglers and our corporate sponsors, this event is such a great success each year,” Durfey said.
All registrants are required to attend the supper and rules night at the Riverhurst Community Arena on Friday, June 14. Here, participants will be briefed on the competition’s mandatory guidelines.
The tournament will begin on Saturday, June 15, with the first flight time starting at 7 a.m. and running until 4 p.m. A second flight will run from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. After the first day’s event has concluded, an updated list of results will be posted in the town’s community arena, during which time a supper and open bar will be available onsite.
The final day of the tournament will take place on Sunday, June 16. The first flight will run from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., followed by the second flight running from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
At the end of fishing on Sunday, the day is set to conclude with a second gathering at the town’s community arena and winners will be presented with their prizes at this time. The content of these prizes is yet to be officially disclosed.
It’s important to note that anyone in the first flight on Saturday will be moved to the second flight on Sunday.
This year’s fishing tournament will include a new Saturday evening program at the Riverhurst Arena. Here, anglers, visitors, and residents in the area are all invited to enjoy the food, live music, and other family-friendly activities planned for the occasion.
When it comes to creating a team, the tournament has a few guidelines posted. The composition of all teams must conform to any one of the approved team structures.
Adult and child teams consist of one adult accompanied by a youth aged 16 years or younger. Male and female teams consist of one male and one female participant.
A new team category is now open and will consist of two entirely new participants at the tournament. To qualify for this team structure, neither teammate could have participated at The Riverhurst Walleye Classic Fish Derby in the past.
In honour of the Father’s Day weekend, a father and son or father and daughter – which includes an allowance for sons- and daughters-in-law – team structure is also encouraged.
This year’s registration process has been improved, according to event organizers, by adding a fully online tournament registration system that now features an instant online payment option. To register for the upcoming tournament, simply visit RiverhurstWalleye.ca.
Interested parties should note that the tournament is only open to 100 teams, so be sure to lock in your registration early.
For any questions, concerns, or feedback about the upcoming tournament, event organizers can be reached at RiverhurstWalleyeClassic@gmail.com.
More information can be found on the tournament’s website at RiverhurstWalleye.ca.
For a full list of tournament rules, visit RiverhurstWalleye.ca/rules.
The Riverhurst Walleye Classic Fish Derby will take place on Lake Diefenbaker in the Palliser Regional Park, and the Tournament Weigh Station will be located at Rusty’s Coulee Marina.
