Unseasonably warm weather that left some of the Thompson Chain of Lakes without ice was still not enough to stop the Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue’s annual Fishing Derby.

Nearly 400 anglers still signed up to try their luck for northern pike, trout, salmon and perch. Of the 373 that registered, 56 were youngsters and an impressive roster of fish was turned in, destined for the dinner table.

“A huge thanks to all the businesses that provided prizes and everyone that supports us,” Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue Fire Chief Kirk Kraft said Sunday following the event. “A special thanks to Kris and Casey Cole, who sponsored our event.

“And we wouldn’t even have this event if it weren’t for our auxiliary which does all the work setting this up and getting it ready.”

While the registrations were down quite a bit from 2025’s 489, including 82 kids, Kirk was still more than pleased the weather cooperated just enough to hold the event.

“The folks who live in our fire district pay an assessment that pays for our operational expenses, but the money we make from the derby pays for the equipment we need for the fire and ambulance crews,” Kirk said.

Fisher River’s fire and ambulance services were formed 40 years ago following the massive Houghton Creek Fire in 1984 that burned about 12,000 acres on both sides of the highway. It destroyed homes and ranches, forced residents in the Happy's Inn area to evacuate homes and cabins, knocked down phone lines and closed part of U.S. 2 because of heavy smoke.

The service is planning a 40-year anniversary later this year and more details will be available when plans are finalized.

There was no true competition for the tournament’s largest fish after Reuben Belston, of Columbia Falls, hauled a 42 1/2-inch northern pike through the ice. The lunker weighed 24 pounds, 5.5 ounces.

The next two largest fish were also pike. Chance Antczak’s 36-inch fish weighed 14 pounds, 9 ounces and Brian Witkins caught a 35 3/8-inch pike that weighed was just one-tenth of an ounce under 13 pounds.

The fourth-biggest catch, by Bridger Moe, was an impressive 10-pound, 12.2-ounce rainbow trout that measured 28 1/2 inches.

Here’s a complete list of the top three catches for adults and youth in each of the four divisions:

Northern pike

Adult: 1. Reuben Belston; 2. Chance Antczak; 3. Brian Witkins.

Youth: 1. Kheen Manning, 7 pounds, 1.1 ounces; 2. Colton Burns, 4 pounds, 6.6 ounces; 3. Broderick Edwards, 3 pounds, 1.6 ounces.

Perch

Adult: 1. Tim Carvey, 1 pound, 1.2 ounces; 2. Jason Sunel, 1 pound, 1 ounce; 3. Charlie Helbach, 1 pound, 0.9 ounces.

Youth: 1. Rex Alsbury, 13.7 ounces; 2. Reid Schlegel, 13.3 ounces; 3. Mason Chartier, 12.9 ounces.

Rainbow trout

Adult: 1. Bridger Moe; 2. Chris Gustine, 3 pounds, 10.8 ounces; 3. Jessica Burns, 1 pound, 11.8 ounces.

Youth: 1. Rex Alsbury, 2 pounds, 3.1 ounces; 2. Colton Burns, 1 pound, 6.3 ounces.

Salmon

Adult: 1. Justin Ivins, 1 pound, 12.5 ounces; 2. Alex Jones, 14 ounces; 3. Tyler Andersen, 13.2 ounces.

Youth: 1. Wesley Eby, 11.8 ounces; 2. Mason Chartier, 10.2 ounces; 3. Declan Burns, 7.6 ounces.