The South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition (SVIAC) extends its sincere thanks to every participant, sponsor, and supporter who helped make the 30th Annual Alpine / GFL Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament an outstanding success!
Held on September 6th at Pedder Bay Marina, this year’s tournament brought together more than 560 anglers and sponsors, creating one of the largest and most memorable events in the tournament’s history. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the community, SVIAC raised over $80,000 in support of salmon enhancement, conservation, recreational fisheries advocacy, and local community initiatives.
A Big Win for Local Angler Brian Stewart
This year’s title was claimed by local fisherman Brian Stewart, who landed an impressive 28.88 lb Chinook salmon. His catch secured the tournament’s top prize — a $30,000 cheque, awarded from a total prize pool of $57,000.
Complete Prize Board
| Place | Angler | Weight | Prize |
| 1st | Brian Stewart | 28.88 lbs | $30,000 |
| 2nd | Al Johanson | 26.32 lbs | $7,000 |
| 3rd | Kevin Orchard | 23.98 lbs | $5,000 |
| 4th | Gratien Pinchin | 21.82 lbs | $3,000 |
| 5th | Ryan Brown | 21.56 lbs | $2,500 |
| 6th | Blake Pearson | 20.19 lbs | $2,000 |
| 7th | Keenan Pinchin | 20.06 lbs | $1,750 |
| 8th | Bob Gicas | 19.04 lbs | $1,500 |
| 9th | Giovanni Aliperti | 19.04 lbs | $1,250 |
| 10th | Dave Adelman | 19.00 lbs | $1,000 |
| Ladies | Maria Morrison | 15.65 lbs | $1,000 |
| Junior – Under 16 | Gratien Pinchin | 21.82 lbs | $1,000 |
Community Support That Makes a Real Impact
Every derby ticket, raffle entry, silent auction bid, and 50/50 purchase directly strengthens SVIAC’s mission and the broader recreational fishing community. The continued support from participants allows SVIAC to invest in meaningful projects that benefit salmon populations and local waters.
Recently, SVIAC and its partners committed approximately $45,000 to salmon enhancement efforts, including:
- $10,000 to Goldstream Hatchery
- $10,000 to Upper Fraser Chinook enhancement through the Spruce City Wildlife Association
- $50,000 with the Sidney Anglers Association to purchase coded‑wire tagging equipment for the Cowichan River Hatchery Chinook program
More initiatives will be announced soon as SVIAC continues expanding its enhancement and conservation work.
Supporting Local Families
The tournament also raised more than $2,675 for the Sooke Food Bank, and donated salmon from participating anglers helped provide food for over 80 local families — a tradition that remains one of the most meaningful outcomes of the event.
Gratitude to Our Community and Longstanding Sponsors
As a local not‑for‑profit organization run by a small group of unpaid volunteer directors, SVIAC relies deeply on the generosity of participants and sponsors. Your support ensures we can continue advocating for sustainable and expanded recreational fishing opportunities while investing in salmon for future generations.
SVIAC is especially grateful for the longstanding commitment of Stew Young, Alpine Group, and GFL Environmental, whose dedication to the Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament and the South Vancouver Island recreational fishing community has helped sustain the event for many years.
We encourage everyone to take a moment to review and support the businesses that make this tournament possible: https://sviac.ca/30th-anniversary-juan-de-fuca-fishing-tournament/
Thank You for Celebrating 30 Years With Us
Thank you for being part of this milestone year and for helping make the 30th Annual Juan de Fuca Fishing Tournament such a tremendous success. We deeply appreciate your participation and hope to welcome all anglers, sponsors and friends back next year. If you have questions about the event or are interested in sponsoring future tournaments, please reach out — we’d love to connect.
