The Catfish Derby: 3 days of fishing — a lifetime of memories
CLEARLAKE OAKS >> The Derby closed on Sunday afternoon to the applause of locals and out-of-towners who waited to go home until after the results were announced by Committee Chair, Dennis Locke.
After cancelling in 2020 and a scaled-back version in 2021, the 2022 derby was back to normal operations, and total entries were up 75 from last year.
“Welcome to the 38th annual catfish derby” Locke announced. “One thing we know for certain — while this is arguably the biggest catfishing derby west of the Mississippi — we know it is the largest fishing event of any kind, ever, on Clear Lake!” We appreciate your continued support — all 957 of you who entered the derby this year — and your families.”
Derby participants came from as far East as Muskogee, Oklahoma; as far north as Enumclaw, Washington; and from all parts of California — 61% traveled to Clear Lake; 39% were from Lake County.
The Pearsons, a family of eight from Clearlake, are regulars at the derby and stayed to the end. “We didn't place this year but we'll definitely be back next year,” said Dan Pearson. “Fishing and camping, that's what we love doing as a family.”
Dan Sansome, from Kelseyville, took home the top prize — $5,000 for his 24.32-pound catfish. “This is my 10th year entering the catfish derby,” he said.
Formerly from San Diego, Sansome was the captain of a long-range fishing boat, the “American Angler.” Dan has been entering the catfish derby since retiring to fish on Clear Lake. “I've wanted to live here all my life,” he said. “I fish for bass too, but this is the only tournament I enter. I love the challenge of catfishing and the high volume of fish in the lake,” Dan said. “As much fishing as I do, winning first prize this year is mighty special.”
With Sansome was his longtime friend, Ed Puente, who placed third in 2019 with a 26.73-pound catfish. Sansome was all smiles at his friend's good fortune this year. “I met Dan years ago when I took a multi-day fishing trip on his party boat out of San Diego. I hadn't seen or heard from him for many years when, about 8 years ago, I saw his picture in one of the local tackle shops. I looked him up and we've been fishing together on Clear Lake ever since. He's an expert fisherman.”
Second place winner, Daniel Shelton, also from Kelseyville, took home $1,000 for his 24.10-pound catch. The third place winner, Corey West, drove in from Yuba City and took home $800 for his 23.82-pounder.
In the older Kids division, ages 11 — 15, Kianii Hill Bourlet, of Reno, took home the first-place prize of $100 for her 18.28-pound catfish; Josiah Lopez, of Folsom took home the second-place prize of $50 for his 17.91-pound catfish; and Scarlett Ocheltree of Yuba City placed third with her 17.64-pound catch and took home $25 in prize money.
In the younger Kids division, up to 10 years old, Tommy Higman of Fairfield, took home the firstplace prize of $100 for his 17.64-pound catfish; Hazel Allen of Kelseyville, took home the secondplace prize, $50, for her 17.16 pounder; and Arthur Weatherwax IV, also from Kelseyville, took home the third-place prize, $25 for his 16.68-pounder.
If some names of the young derby winners sound familiar there's good reason. “Many of the young people that participated this year have been fishing since they were strong enough to hold a fishing rod,” said Barbara Higman, a derby volunteer whose family has fished Clear Lake — and the derby — for years. “I'm so proud of my grandson, Tommy, for his first place win,” she said. “He's a third generation fisherman!”
Lee Her, from Antelope, has been fishing the derby for years and was back this year with his nephew, Darrel Her. Lee Her placed eighth this year with his 22.06 catch. “In 2018, I won first place with my 24.34-pound catch — almost the same weight as this year's first place win by Dan Sansome of 24.32.”
“I love to fish,” said Lee Her. “I learned to fish when I was young from my uncle and now, I'm teaching my nephew. Of course, winning is part of the allure but it's so much more than that. It's coming together as a family, re-connecting with some of the derby people who I see year after year, and building on great memories, that's what it's all about.”
As for Darrel, “I'm hooked, I'll definitely be back next year with my uncle,” he said.
For all scores visit: clearlakeoaks.org/derbystandings and for interesting comments and photos about the derby go to Catfish Derby At The Oaks on Facebook.