Anglers Go For The Big One Most Turn To Herring To Try For Chinook Derby’s Top Prizes

A lot of frozen herring will be trolled around Lake Coeur d’Alene the next nine days.

The effectiveness of herring this year has convinced hundreds of anglers that using bait instead of lures is the way to go to win one of the many big prizes during the Big One chinook derby.

The derby, which likely will attract a record number of anglers, possibly more than 1,000, will get under way Saturday and end Aug. 20.

Contestants will pay $25 for derby tickets, available at Coeur d’Alene area sporting goods shops and at Skipper Bill’s in the Spokane Valley.

The cost may seem high to some anglers, but most are willing to spend the money for a chance to win one of several boats that will be awarded and many other prizes.

First prize, a 17-foot boat, trailer and motor, will go to the angler who catches the biggest chinook. Every day of the derby a 14-foot aluminum boat will be awarded to the angler who catches the biggest chinook.

Derby sponsors have raised the minimum size from 20 to 24 inches.

The derby is a non-profit event. Net proceeds will go for fishery enhancement at Lake Coeur d’Alene.

For the first time since derbies have been held at the big Idaho lake, herring, long a staple with salt-water fishers, will be popular with a high percentage of trollers.

A few anglers have used herring the last two seasons, but the bait really became popular this year. The reason, of course, is that fishers learned that Coeur d’Alene’s chinooks are as susceptible to herring as are chinooks in salt water.

Fishermen eager to learn techniques for using frozen herring can hear from experts on how to bait their hooks and how to troll for the salmon at a pre-derby seminar 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Coeur d’Alene Holiday Inn.

Standard salmon fishing tackle will be displayed.

The experts also will detail techniques for using dodgers and flies and flashers and hootchies.

Although frozen herring has become the bait of choice for hundreds of trollers, many fishers still prefer to show flies and hootchies to the salmon.

Trollers have caught some good-sized chinooks the last 10 days, including several weighing more than 20 pounds. Most of the salmon are 40 to 60 feet deep.