Photo: Top place in 2017, and a cheque for $2,000, went to John Oliver for his 20 1/32" smallmouth bass. John is shown here with two of his grandchildren and the first place trophies. Congratulations!

The Grand River Bass Derby, 2017 edition & the 30th annual, was held on July 8 and 9.  The derby attracts hundreds of people from Southwestern Ontario to fish the Canadian Heritage River and enjoy some fantastic smallmouth bass fishing. Prizes are awarded for the longest fish brought in alive as well as specially tagged fish. All entrants are also eligible for the Grand Draw Prize and hundreds of other draw prizes contributed by local businesses. This year, the measuring station was manned at Natural Sports and was kept busy as 25 fish of 18+" were brought in along with numerous rock bass for the research work being conducted by Shayla Tuttle-Raycroft of the University of Guelph.

The Derby, organized by Natural Sports and hosted by the Optimist Club of Stanley Park, raises money with 100% of the proceeds going towards improving fishing opportunities and public access to the Grand River. 

The top fishermen in the 2017 Derby were: 

1st John Oliver 20 1/32 ($2,000)
2nd David Windover 19 7/8 ($1,000)
3rd Alex Inch 19 11/16 ($500)
4th Dave Prince Jr 19 17/32 (Prize package)
5th Steve Boerio 19 1/2 (Prize package)

YOUTH CATEGORY (All received a fishing package)

1st Nick McCann 18 3/4
2nd Hunter Restoule 18 5/32
3rd Jack Frame 18 5/32
4th James Keffer 18"
5th Kevin Hunter 17 5/16

Early Bird Draw Prize Winner: Mathias Lang (Quantum rod and reel)

University of Guelph (Regarding rock bass entries): Blake Chapeskie

Grand Prize Draw Winner: Kenneth Lemieux (JP Fishing Charters - charter for six)

The two tagged fish (worth $1,000 each) evaded capture this year. All in all, another very successful event and encouraging signs for the health and conditions of the Grand River watershed.

Photos of the 2017 Derby