Round 2 of the Boxing Day Derby 2021

IMPORTANT NOTICE... Considering there were no fish weighed into the derby, the poor water visibility, and unkind weather conditions, we'll be holding a second round for the Derby on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022 (originally scheduled for 01/16/22 but, again, due to expected conditions the date has been changed). If you have already registered for the 2021 Boxing Day Derby you are automatically eligible for this event. If you were not registered, we are reopening registration through to 5pm on January 22nd. Good luck everyone, and let's just hope for Mother Nature cooperation. We've updated the information below to reflect any changes. These are highlighted in yellow.

Since 1938 the Vedder River Boxing Day Derby was hosted by the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club. This special day of tradition and celebration is enjoyed by dedicated steelheaders far and near.

Last year, Fred's Custom Tackle held the event with the support of the Fish and Game Club to raise funds for Steelhead conservation and habitat restoration. This year Fred's is continuing our unwavering commitment to keeping the tradition of the Boxing Day Derby alive with funds being directed to the health and well-being of the Chilliwack/Vedder River system.

With the generous support of people like yourself, we raised over $30K in 2020/21, combining the Wally Hall Jr Memorial Steelhead Derby, Wrap Up Raffle, and Boxing Day Derby proceeds. Our goal this year is to meet or exceed this amount. Every penny raised goes directly to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition habitat conservation fund that will leverage this money into 3 to 5X its initial value. Meaning substantial work can be done at a fraction of the cost. So even if you cannot attend, registering and buying draw tickets will help us hit our funding goals.

Weigh-in is at our Chilliwack location at 6336C Vedder Road. It's an outside event with all COVID safety regulations enforced. We are encouraging anglers to weigh their fish in, get a photo and have a hot coffee. There will be prizes for every fish weighed into the Boxing Day Derby, with top honours going to the 3 largest fish.

Thank you to everyone that has helped in previous years, and to help build sustainable fisheries for the future.

Fred

The following is subject to change without notice. Please check back prior to the derby to ensure you have the latest information. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute announcements.

Registration

1. If you already registered for the December 26th, 2021 Derby, you DO NOT need to register again. Your previous registration is valid for the January 23rd, 2022 Derby.

2. Registration is limited to 1 ticket per angler. Click here if you would like to provide an additional donation to the fund going to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition.

3. Tickets are $20/registrant and are available both online and at our Chilliwack or Abbotsford stores. Only anglers who were not registered for the December 26th, 2021 Derby need to register;

4. Ticket sales close at 5 pm on January 22nd, 2022 both online and in-store. There will be NO tickets available on the day of the event;

5. Online registration will be limited to one ticket per transaction;

6. If an angler is registered for both the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby and the Boxing Day Derby, any weigh-ins between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm on January 23, 2022 will be eligible for both derbies;

7. All proceeds from the derby will go to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition;

Derby Day and the Rules

1. The Chilliwack store will be open from 7 am - 4:00 pm.

2. Anyone entering the store must wear a mask and adhere to safe distancing.

3. Due to the sheer craziness that goes with a derby, the Chilliwack store will not be able to issue fishing licenses or steelhead tags, or provide the printing of licenses.

4. We are encouraging anglers to get their gear in advance as much as possible. This is generally a very busy day, and with the limited number of people allowed in the shop, we want to ensure everyone is taken care of in a safe and timely manner.

5. Participants must have a printed valid BC freshwater fishing license and steelhead tag.

6. In order to weigh in a fish, participants must be registered in our system, and provide a printed copy of their license with steelhead tag and the fish recorded on the license.

7. We’re asking that people follow the basic COVID-19 guidelines by masking up, staying 2m apart, and keeping to their own bubble.

8. There will be no in-person round-up event.

9. For the purpose of this contest, fishing will be on the Chilliwack / Vedder River from the confluence of Slesse Creek and downstream to the Hwy.1 Bridge.

10. Fish must only be caught in the Chilliwack / Vedder River on January 23rd, 2022, during the contest.

11. Unless physical limitations apply, fish must be caught and landed by the contestant alone. In the event that the angler is unable to identify the hatchery status of the fish, they may request assistance.

12. A fish shall be a clipped, hatchery-marked steelhead of 5 lbs or over and must be 50 cm in length or over.

13. Only one hatchery steelhead may be entered into the derby per angler. Currently, the regulations for the Chilliwack / Vedder do allow for the retention of 2 hatchery fish.

14. When a participant catches and retains a legal fish, they should proceed to the weigh scale at Fred's Custom Tackle at 6336C Vedder Rd. In the case of a tie, the first fish weighed in will be considered the winner.

15. All weigh-ins will be done outside.

16. We are encouraging anglers to weigh in their fish, get a photo opp, grab a coffee, and go home to warm up.

17. Prizes will be given for the top 3 fish only; First place prize is a G.Loomis + Shimano 400D Drift Combo, second place receives an Okuma FCT 11'3" Float Rod with an Okuma Raw II centrepin reel, and 3rd place will receive a Trophy Vest and tackle package. All prizes are being donated by Fred's Custom Tackle.

18. Prizes will be announced after 4:00 pm and posted on our social media and website. Winners who are not present will be contacted after the derby to make arrangements to receive their prize.

19. If cancellation of the derby is necessary due to inclement weather, unsafe conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances, a notice will be published on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on fredscustomtackle.com. We will also make every effort to send out an email announcement.

20. In the event that the Derby is cancelled prior to January 23rd, 2022, we will announce an alternate date based on the situation. If a participant who registered specifically for the 2nd round date is unable to attend the rescheduled event, they will have the option of a refund or they can exchange their registration fee for a raffle ticket for the wrap-up draws as part of the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby.

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Questions and Answers

If I registered for the December 26th, 2021 derby do I need to re-register for the January 23rd, 2022 event?

No. Just show up to the river and go fishing.

If I registered for the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby, am I also registered for the Boxing Day Derby?

No. They are two separate derbies. The proceeds from both derbies and the raffle, however, will go to the FVWC.

If I register for the Boxing Day Derby am I also registered for the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby?

No. They are two separate derbies. The proceeds from both of the derbies and the raffle, however, will go to the FVWC.

Will there be prizes for people who don't weigh in a fish?

No.

What if I am unable to make it to the derby?

We will not be doing refunds for the 2nd round of the derby. The proceeds are going to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition for the rehabilitation and conservation of the Chilliwack/Vedder River, and every penny helps.

Will there be a sign-in in the morning?

No. To maintain social distancing, and reduce the possibility of any gatherings, we are simply closing off registration at 5 pm Pacific Time on January 22nd, 2022, and opening up for weigh-ins at 7:00 am on January 23rd, 2022. If you want to weigh a fish into the Derby you'll need to pre-register, have your printed license with a steelhead tag and the fish recorded.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email us at info@fredscustomtackle.com, message us on Facebook, or call one of our stores - Abbotsford @ 1-604-746-1481, Chilliwack @ 1-604-858-7344.