MUST BE THE boat.
Larry Quesnell, of La Conner, won last weekend’s Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby by catching a 15.4-pound fish.
Last year, Jerry Thomas, of Mount Vernon, won the same derby with a 15.9-pound blackmouth.
In case you haven’t heard, Thomas’ fishing partner for the 2013 derby was none other than Larry Quesnell, and Quesnell’s fishing partner this year was Jerry Thomas. They were fishing out of the same boat.
For their two wins, the duo has take home a total of $20,000 dollars, which they split both times.
So, at the 2015 Olympic Peninsula Derby, find Quesnell and Thomas and follow their boat around.
Just look for the guys covering their faces or wearing disguises.
Peninsula represents
Last year, the highest finish by a North Olympic Peninsula angler was seventh place.
This time around, the Peninsula claimed six of the top 10 spots.
Port Townsend’s Jay Campbell finished second ($2,000), just behind Quesnell, with a 15.25-pound blackmouth. (All weights are in decimal pounds, rather than pounds and ounces.)
Port Angeles’ Geoffrey Cobb was third ($1,000) with a 14.25-pound fish. Taking advantage of the derby’s new rule this year that allowed more than one fish to be submitted, Cobb also won the 20th prize with an 11.05-pound blackmouth.
Brenda Chisholm of Port Townsend placed sixth (12.05 pounds), Port Hadlock’s Jason Minish was seventh (12.35), Port Angeles’ Chad Williams was ninth (12.15) and Roy Scott, also of Port Angeles, finished 10th with a 12-pound catch.
The highest finish by an angler from outside Washington was Craig Watson of Lithia, Fla., who took 12th place by reeling in a 11.60-pound blackmouth.
And what about those $500 mystery fish?
They were won by Kevin Nitta of Sequim (11.05 pounds), Port Hadlock’s Ashley Merrill (7.65), Ryan Lampers of Granite Falls (7.50) and Sequim’s Bill Cramer (6.25).
Learn to tie flies
Waters West in Port Angeles (360-417-0937) is holding a beginning fly tying class as well as a free fly tying demonstration.
The beginning fly tying class will be held on four consecutive Tuesdays, starting next week, at Waters West (140 West Front St.) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The cost is $50. To sign up, go to www.waterswest.com or phone 360-417-0937.
Jerry French will be presenting a free steelhead intruders fly tying demonstration at Waters West on Saturday, March 1, at 1 p.m.
French, of Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics, will be tying his favorite winter steelhead patterns.
The demo is free and open to everyone.
Wapiti Bowmen
Archers from the Northwest will have their chance to enjoy the first 3-D shoot of Spring Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, at the Wapati Bowmen Archery Club invitational.
Located at 374 Arnett Road, just off of Monroe Road, in Port Angeles, the club offers an opportunity to shoot in a beautiful 20-acre setting of trails that meander across creeks, up hillsides and through the forest.
There will be 30 life-like targets are scattered on the course to provide a variety of both deceptively easy and challenging shots
Apparently, there have been sightings of a Tyrannosaurus rex in the brush with a stuffed rabbit in its mouth.
“A well placed arrow could save the rabbit from a terrible fate,” range master Ray Werrion said.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. each day.
The grill is fired up at 7 a.m. for breakfast with the barbecue warming for hot lunches in the afternoon, each for a nominal cost.
Adult shooting fees are $12 per day or $20 for both days. Youth fees (12-17) are $8 per day or $12 for both, those ages 6-11 are just $4 for one day and $5 for two. Kids under 5 are free.
Funds from the meals and an auction of used 3-D targets go for upkeep and maintenance of the non-profit club.
For this shoot, the Wapati Club is providing limited on-site spaces for dry camping on a first-come basis.
For more information, phone 360-683-7787 or visit the website at wapatibowmen.us.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton’s outdoors column appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
