The 30th annual Sproat Lake Loggers’ Winter-Spring Derby was held at Poett Nook Marina, down the Alberni Inlet, the first weekend in March.
At its inception, the winter-spring derby saw only about 40 participants. Today the fishing weekend hails close to 480 anglers from as far as California.
With the help from the late Jake Leyenaar, retired logger Don Deforest, was one of the originators to get the derby started.
The derby has turned from a handful of guys into a large family event. Originally attracting only a group of men, families started camping there for the weekend and bringing their children on the boats.
The memory of Layenaar was honoured with a special award this year.
During the weekend, $2510 was raised, through raffle sales, that will go to the McLean Mill Hatchery, something Layenaar was passionate about for many years.