Name: BOXING DAY STEELHEAD DERBY 2024
Start: 2024-12-26T07:30:00-08:00
Location: Fred's Custom Tackle, 6336c Vedder Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R, Canada

Since 1938 the Vedder River Steelhead Derby, currently held on Boxing Day, was hosted by the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club. This special day of tradition and celebration is enjoyed by dedicated steelheaders far and near.
In 2020, Fred's Custom Tackle held the event with the support of the Fish and Game Club to raise funds for steelhead and salmon conservation and habitat restoration. This year Fred's is continuing our unwavering commitment to keeping the tradition of the Boxing Day Derby alive with funds being directed to the health and well-being of the Chilliwack/Vedder River system.
With the generous support of people like yourself, we raised over $40K last year, combining proceeds from the Wally Hall Jr Memorial Steelhead Derby, Wrap Up Raffle, and Boxing Day Derby. With the addition of our Chinook Derby, the goal this year is to meet or exceed $50,000. Every penny raised goes directly to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition habitat conservation fund that will leverage this money into 3 to 5X its initial value. Meaning substantial work can be done at a fraction of the cost. So even if you cannot attend, registering and buying Wrap Up draw tickets will help us hit our funding goals.
Weigh-in is at our Chilliwack location at 6336C Vedder Road. We are encouraging anglers to weigh their fish in, get a photo and have a hot coffee. There will be prizes for every fish weighed into the Boxing Day Derby, with top honours going to the 3 largest fish.
Thank you to everyone that has helped in previous years, and to help build sustainable fisheries for the future.
Fred
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The following is subject to change without notice. Please check back prior to the derby to ensure you have the latest information. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute announcements.
REGISTRATION
· Registration is limited to 1 ticket per angler. Click here if you would like to provide an additional donation to the fund going to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition.
· Tickets are $20/registrant and are available both online and at our Chilliwack or Abbotsford stores.
· Online ticket sales close at 10 pm Wednesday, December 25th, 2024, with in-store registration available before the store closes Tuesday, December 24th, 2024. There will be NO tickets available on the day of the event.
· Online registration will be limited to one ticket per transaction.
· If an angler is registered for both the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby and the Boxing Day Derby, any weigh-ins between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm on December 26th, 2024 will be eligible for both derbies.
· There will be a BONUS DRAW made for everyone entered in the Boxing Day Derby.
· All proceeds from the derby will go to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition.
DERBY DAY AND THE RULES
· The Chilliwack store will be open for retail sales from 7:00 am - 2:00 pm, with weigh-ins for the Boxing Day Steelhead Derby closing at 3:00 pm.
· Due to the sheer craziness that goes with a derby, the Chilliwack store may not be able to issue fishing licenses or steelhead tags, or provide the printing of licenses.
· We are encouraging anglers to get their gear in advance as much as possible. This is generally a very busy day, and we want to ensure everyone is taken care of in a timely manner.
· Participants must have a printed valid BC freshwater fishing license and steelhead tag.
· In order to weigh in a fish, participants must be registered in our system, and provide a printed copy of their license with steelhead tag and the fish recorded on the license.
· For the purpose of this contest, fishing will be on the Chilliwack / Vedder River from the confluence of Slesse Creek and downstream to the Hwy.1 Bridge.
· Fish must only be caught in the Chilliwack / Vedder River on December 26th, 2024, during the contest.
· Unless physical limitations apply, fish must be caught and landed by the contestant alone. In the event that the angler is unable to identify the hatchery status of the fish, they may request assistance.
· A fish shall be a properly clipped, hatchery-marked steelhead of 5 lbs or over. Misclipped fish will not be accepted.
· Only one hatchery steelhead may be entered into the derby per angler. Currently, the regulations for the Chilliwack / Vedder do allow for the retention of 2 hatchery fish.
When a participant catches and retains a legal fish, they should proceed to the weigh scale at Fred's Custom Tackle at 6336C Vedder Rd. In the case of a tie, the first fish weighed in will be considered the winner.
All weigh-ins will be done outside.
We are encouraging anglers to stick around for the handing out of prizes and the Ferguson and Furnell trophy.
Prizes will be announced starting after 3:45 pm and posted on our social media and website. Winners who are not present will forfeit their prize.
If cancellation of the derby is deemed necessary, a notice will be published on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on fredscustomtackle.com. We will also make every effort to send out an email announcement.
In the event that the Derby is cancelled prior to December 26th, 2024 we will announce an alternate date based on the situation.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. If I registered for the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby, am I also registered for the Boxing Day Derby?
A. No. They are two separate derbies. The proceeds from both derbies and the raffle, however, will go to the FVWC.
Q. If I register for the Boxing Day Derby am I also registered for the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby?
A. No. They are two separate derbies. The proceeds from both of the derbies and the raffle, however, will go to the FVWC.
Q. Will there be prizes for people who don't weigh in a fish?
A. You never know, there may be door prizes. However, you must be present to win something.
Q. What if I am unable to make it to the derby?
A. We will not be doing refunds. The proceeds are going to the Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition for the rehabilitation and conservation of the Chilliwack/Vedder River, and every penny helps.
Q. Will there be a sign-in in the morning?
A. No. The weigh-in scale opens up at 7:30 am on December 26th, 2024. If you want to weigh a fish into the Derby you'll need to pre-register, have your printed license with a steelhead tag and the fish recorded.
If you have any other questions please feel free to email us at [email protected], message us on Facebook, or call one of our stores - Abbotsford @ 1-604-746-1481, Chilliwack @ 1-604-858-7344.