In my personal experience on the subject of fishing as a kid back in the 80's, everything that was known about the tips, tricks, and techniques of catching fish was not something to be shared much with other people. Everybody had their secret spots, their secret presentations, or things that they would do that they kept to themselves. I think that was a very common thing back then, and even today. Which is very understandable, as you don't want a whole bunch of anglers to be coming in to your spots, using your techniques, and fishing out the waters we all enjoy so much.
And then there's the people like Reelax, Homewrecker, Surprise, anyone who has posted a fishing report, and espescially a couple of our fellow anglers who are no longer with us, Jim Martino of Honeybee Lures, and of course the famous Fishy1 Matt Glebus. These guys took a different approach. They shared with the "new guy". Helped struggling anglers with their technique. By doing so they only helped the fishery they care about so much. By spreading the love and appreciation for the sport, like some sort of backwards virus that only brought good things to the people who were exposed. This DYP tournament is that philosophy put into practice in the most ultimate way possible.
Lets take the example of Reelax and Homewrecker in a hypothetical DYP tournament. A couple of old and best fishing buddies who have an incredible knowledge of catching fish. You can tell how comfortable they are with eachother, by how much trash talk goes down between the two behind closed doors. Best of friends. In a normal tournament, guys like that would team up, go out, have a great time, and kick some angler butt. However, in this tournament, they are assured to be pitted against eachother by choice, and teamed up with a totally randomly selected partner, often times a complete stranger. Imagine two complete newbies to the sport of fishing that enter this tournament that are paired with these guys. They are immediately adopted as part of the partnership or team, and shown all of the strategy, and technique and even spots to fish, that have been developed and discovered over decades of experience, and thousands of hours on the water. There is no animosity towards your opponent, because the opponent is one of your partner's best friends. Immediate bonds are made with the partner who you just met hours earlier. Even Liam said on the truck ride home yesterday that it felt weird we only met our partner for yesterdays derby in the morning. After one day of competition, it felt like he was just one of the fishing buddies we had always known. It is important to note however that this particular year, Homewrecker and Reelax did not have newbies aboard, but experienced fishermen. One was even a past rotary champion if I am not mistaken. But, the spirit of sharing with a new previously unkown partner was still there in the case of the Reelax crew.
I'm not sure if I'm doing a good job of painting the picture for the reader here, but, Let's just say It's the only competition I have ever been involved in, where when you get beaten by your opponents, it makes you happier than when you win yourself. It is a very unique and special experience.
On to the report.
The crew of the Country Angler for the DYP 2023 consisted of myself and Liam, competing as a family team. We Were however a boat short for the drawing, so we volunteered to be entered into the drawing to give the odd "no boat" entrant a boat to fish out of. Same rules as everybody else only running 4 rods. 6:00 am the boat was in the water, and I was walking down to the ramp with my new partner Mat, "VT2U". Liam was at the helm, and we headed out onto the water.
We decided to set up south of Thompsons because of the north wind. Figured it would be good to get to know eachother and the gear in calm waters first. Mat was very familiar with marine electronics, rods, reels, lures, etc, but was not super experienced in the downrigger or trolling department. However it was very soon that he was totally proficient in all aspects of running the program. It wasn't long before we boated the first silver.
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Then Mat was up, no picture on that one. Then another for Liam.
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Well, we found the fish, and it wasn't even 7:00! The next fish was the heartbreaker for the Country Angler crew. 4.5-5 lb salmon breakoff 6 feet away from where I was standing with the net. Ouch. Swam away with our Crazy Ivan: Crazy Ivan. But that's the way it goes sometimes. Next we decided to gamble way south, Scotch Bonnett, Basin Harbor. One laker, tons of marks.
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Knowing that was a bit of a Hail Mary anyway, we headed back north to the mouth of the river, nothing on the graph. Little more north, the sonar lit up. OK, lets set up guys. Thats where we had a big release. Turned out to be a 30" 10.05lb Laker, a PR for Liam.
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Next up was Mat, another nice laker.
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Who by the way, is a laker fisherman. He thought it was funny that we were trying to avoid them, as they are his target species when he hits the lake in his kayak to jig them up. But, we all knew what species we were there for that day. The big salmon. Unfortunately for us, the one that got away was our biggest of the day, and we hadn't kept any of the 18-19" Cookie cutter salmon from earlier in the day, and our last wasn't even of legal size. Our final count for the day was 5 salmon, 6 lakers, 1 lost big salmon, and 3 unknowns where nobody was home. So, 11/15. That's a pretty respectable day for our boat, espescially with the salmon count.
We shared the water with some of the greatest anglers on the lake, with a coulpe photo ops of them trolling by.
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But, the 8 hour tournament went by as most fishing days do in our boats. Just, Like, That. before we knew it we were back at the ramp getting ready for the cookout. Here's the Basscatcher with her crew of Dilly Worm and his daughter.
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Speaking of those guys, I'd like to present to you, the 2023 DYP Youth Champion. Here they are weighing in her winning fish.
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And last but not least, I'm more than happy to announce that the 2023 LCU DYP Champions are:
Striper192001
Larry Dailey
With a winning fish of 3.21 lbs. Congratulations guys! It really could have been anyone's tournament out there this year, everybody went out there and fished great. Reelax reported over the vhf at 1:45 he was fighting a fish, and would do what they could to get there at 2:00. I was urged at the cookout by the man often dressed as Santa while trolling in December for an honorable mention at the cookout, so I will do it again here. Team Homewrecker and AvgJoe weighed in the second place fish with a weight of 3.19. Very close.
We had an awesome cookout as usual, Dogs and Frogs from Matt and Dean, with contributions from everyone else in attendance. I even started down the road of getting off sugary soda, in favor of AvgJoe's fizzy lemon lime seltzer stuff, which is much better for you. My table fare however, not so healthy, but wicked delicious. Bacon wrapped scallops, stuffed cohogs, etc. A very LCU lunch. I look foreward to hearing the perspectives of all of the other fishing vessels in the fleet, as well as seeing any pictures that were taken posted up in response.
I'd also like to thank all of you old regulars and new additions for making this event and day what I have always experienced it as in the past. A very special and unique competition like no other, with no hard feelings. Only fun, old friends, new friends, and sharing the love of being outdoors and fishing.
Fish ON!
) on the "W". You didn't really need to have those fish splash me TWICE while you were trying to wrestle one out of the livewell, though! Man they were lively.
