Mad River Steelhead Derby in Humboldt County comes to an end
The last Mad River Hatchery Steelhead Derby took place during the winter run in Humboldt County on the Mad River in the Arcata/Blue Lake area on Jan. 15 – Feb. 29, 2024.
3 largest measured fish in both the Adult and Youth categories were to win prizes based on measured length. Awards ceremony was held at Mad River Brewing Co., Tasting Room in Blue Lake on Sunday, March 3.
ADULT Division Winners:
Brian L. – 33 & 1/2 hatchery buck, $500 check
James B. – 33 hatchery buck, $300 check
Ben H. – 30 hatchery buck, $150 check
YOUTH Division Raffle Winners
Morgan – donated prize from sponsor
Carter – donated prize from sponsor
Jaxon – donated prize from sponsor
Richie – donated prize from sponsor
Braylan – donated prize from sponsor
*No entries were submitted due to high water events
Raffle Prize Winners:
• Winner Take All Addicted Bag + Guided River Trip with Jack Beer for 2: Dale M.
• Eel River Trip for 2 with Fishing the North Coast with Cpt. Kenny Priest: Layton C.
• 2-Night Country Home Stay near the Mad River: Kenny A. (claimed at event)
• Ocean Trip for 1 with Shellback Sportfishing Eureka / Cpt. Tony Sepulveda: Mark H. (claimed at event)
• Ocean Trip for 1 with Sea Hawk Sportfishing Shelter Cove / Cpt. Jake Mitchell: Ben H. (claimed at event)
• Humboldt Bay Halibut Trip for 1 with Redwood Coast Fishing / Cpt. Mike Stratman: Benjamin A. (claimed at event)
• Half Day Ocean Trip for 1 with Wind Rose Charters / Cpt. Curtis Wilson: Mark H. (claimed at event)
We’d like to thank the CDFW Mad River Hatchery staff for their efforts to raise more fish, thank you to the volunteers who drove the water trucks, thank you to the Mad River Stewards for tubing fish for the broodstock program and thank you to CDFW Warden John Fraley for his dedication and time.
Part of the proceeds from this event go toward helping the Mad River Steelhead Stewards Volunteer Angler Group who contract with CDFW and the Mad River Hatchery to help them with their steelhead broodstock program for the Mad River.
