Harder catch wins Pend Oreille derby

Dan Harder of Colfax collected first prize money for the annual Lake Pend Oreille K & K fishing derby by boating a 18.54 pound rainbow trout during the nine-day event which concluded May 6. Harder landed the giant fish after a 45-minute battle off Indian Point across from Garfield Bay.

The K & K tourney pot totaled approximately $4,000 with 387 anglers putting up $50 each to enter.

Harder noted he has entered the derby many times, but this was his first win.

The number-two fish in the nine-day event weighed in at 16.3 pounds.

Harder said he managed to get his spring farming work done in time to travel north to the lake and compete. He was fishing by himself, and the fish hit on a fly at about 7:30 p.m. May 3.

He said he got a good look at the big fish early when it jumped alongside another boat which was in the area.

The 45-minute battle ensued after the fish took the fly, and it was finally boated in the dark.

“He did just about everything” Harder reported.

Harder said he has landed larger fish, but not during the derby dates.