DeMers, Allison claim derby honors
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 4 weeks AGO
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | May 6, 2025 1:00 AM
SANDPOINT — Ray Allison pulled in the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's top rainbow trout to claim division honors on the derby's final day. Winning top honors in the mackinaw division is David DeMers.
Allision caught a 24-55-pound, 36-inch rainbow Sunday to take top honors — and the $5,000 prize — as the LPOIC's 80th derby wrapped up fishing Sunday.
In the rainbow division, Jesse Peterson finished second with a 21.25-pound rainbow, followed by Ben Dillon in third with a 20.7-pound rainbow and John Levanduski in fourth with a 19.3-pound fish.
Second place nets a $2,500 prize, third place $1,500, fourth $750 and fifth $500.
There is a $250 member bonus as well as a $500 catch-and-release bonus for placing a rainbow that is successfully released after weigh-in. In addition, there is a $250 members bonus.
David DeMers ended the derby as the top angler in the mackinaw division with a 20.25-pound, 36-inch mackinaw that he caught Saturday. Following in second is Derek Blanchard with the 17-pound fish, followed by Gale Belgarde Sr. in third with a 12.75-pound fish, and Jack Wilkinson in fourth with a 12.25-pound mackinaw.
In fifth is Dan Spinosa with an 11.7-pound fish, Jacob Jones with a 11.6-pound mackinaw is sixth and Jacob Jones with an 11.6-pound mackinaw and Dean Isenberg in seventh with a 10.05-pound fish.
Finishing in eighth place is Jim Carothers with a 9.6-pound mackinaw, Ted Taylor is ninth with a 9.3-pound fish and Annie Beardslee is tenth with a 9.25-pound fish.
In the adult mackinaw division, the top angler nets a $1,200 prize, second $800, third $600, fourth $400, and fifth $200. Prizes are also given to anglers who place sixth through 10th. A $150 prize is giving to the angler in the adult division who catches the largest mackinaw each day.
In the Junior Division, Fisher LaRue took the top spot with a 16.3-pound, 32 1/4-inch rainbow. Finishing second is Lyla Shelton with a 14.25-pound rainbow, followed by Caylee Laybourne in third with a 12-pound rainbow and Carly Laybourne in fourth with a 10.95-pound rainbow. All four youth released the fish.
First place comes with a $500 prize, second is $400, third is $300, and fourth is $200. There is a $100 bonus for successful catch and release of a placing rainbow and a $50 member bonus.
In the Youth A division, Rory Bonner took top honors with a 31-inch rainbow, followed by Bentley Landingham in second with a 30-inch rainbow and Owen Peterson in third with a 30-inch rainbow. All three youth released the fish.
In the Youth B division, Tucker Shelton took top honors with a 32-inch rainbow, which was released. Following in second was Owen Belgarde with a 13.7-pound, 31 3/4-inch mackinaw; and in third was Knoxx Lee with a 29 1/2-inch rainbow, which was released.
Belgarde, 7, also won the Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award for his catch. The award is given for the largest mackinaw caught by a youth division contestant who is 12 years old or younger.
In the German Brown division, taking top honors is Travis Miller, who caught a 7.6-pound fish measuring 31 3/4 inches.
Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club
2025 Spring Derby
Final unofficial results
Adult Rainbow Trout
1. Ray Allison, 24.55 pounds, 36 inches. 2. Jesse Peterson, 21.25, 35. 3. Ben Dillon, 20.7, 35 inches (released). 4. John Levanduski, 19.3, 33.
Adult Mackinaw
1. David DeMers, 20.25 pounds, 36 inches. 2. Derek Blanchard, 17.0, 35. 3. Gale Belgarde Sr., 12.75, 30. 4. Jack Wilkinson, 12.25, 32. 5. Dan Spinosa, 11.70, 30 3/4. 6. Jacob Jones, 11.60, 31 1/2. 7. Dean Isenberg, 10.05, 29.50. 8. Jim Carothers, 9.60, 28 1/4. 9. Ted Taylor, 9.3, 29 3/4. 10. Annie Beardslee, 9.2, 29.
Junior Division
1. Fisher LaRue, 16.3 pounds, 32 1/4-inch rainbow (released). 2. Lyla Shelton, 14.25, 32 1/4 rainbow (released). 3. Caylee Laybourne, 12 pounds, 32 inches, rainbow (released). 4. Carly Laybourne, 10.95 pounds, 29 inches, rainbow (released).
Youth A Division
1. Rory Bonner, 31-inch rainbow (released). 2. Bentley Landingham, 30-inch rainbow (released). 3. Owen Peterson, 30-inch rainbow (released).
Youth B Division
1. Tucker Shelton, 32-inch rainbow (released). 2. Owen Belgarde, 13.70 pounds, 31 3/4 inches, mackinaw. 3. Knoxx Lee, 29 1/2 inches, rainbow (released).
Mr. Nick Naccarato Memorial Award
Owen Belgarde, Youth B (7 years old) — 13.7 pounds, 31 3/4 inches
German Brown
Travis Miller — 7.60 pounds, 27 3/4 inches
Mackinaw of the Day
April 26 — Dan Spinosa, 11.7 pounds
April 27 — Derek Blanchard, 17 pounds
April 28 — JoAnn Edmiston, 7 pounds
April 29 — Randy Shelton, 8.45 pounds
April 30 —Gale Belgarde Sr., 12.75 pounds
May 1 — Annie Beardslee, 9.25 pounds
May 2 — David DeMers, 20.25 pounds
May 3 — 3 Dean Isenberg, 10.05 pounds
May 4 — Dan Kaestner, 5.65 pounds
ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER
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