Peterborough Man Hits Jackpot Catching Top-Prize Fish "Walter" At 36th Annual Fishing Derby

Peterborough’s D.J. Rheams walking away with $1,000 after catching top-prize rainbow trout ‘Walter’ at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters 36th Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Tuesday afternoon.

D.J. Rheams with top-prize fish Walter. The catch is a four-pound rainbow trout. Walter had originally jumped over a netting barricade and was caught downriver by unregistered participants. They got to keep the fish but a '“New” Walter was thrown into the canal on Saturday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The 34-year-old caught the four-pound rainbow trout just before 3 p.m. Rheams originally was not planning to attend the Derby until his sister convinced him to participate. The Lindsay-born angler had fished on Monday without catching anything. He almost gave up before he discovered that he hooked and eventually caught Walter.

“Honestly, when I finally stopped trying, I just was daydreaming,” explained Rheams. “Suddenly my line just starting running.”

A volunteer pointed out that Rheams had hooked the prized fish but he did not believe it at first. He sought out help in catching and reeling the fish in and it paid off.

“I was in disbelief and she helped me land it,” he said. I paid the admission for the extra help. It was unbelievable.”

Rheams had always participated in the Derby when he was young and had always dreamed about landing Walter.

“Just as a kid, you always think about catching Walter and how it's a big deal,” he explained. “One of first people I'd call were my cousins and I'd always do this Derby with them as a kid.”

Rheams already has plans to use the $1,000 he has won.

“We actually have a kid coming June 2nd so I definitely want to be buying baby stuff. That's quite exciting,” he said.

Last year, no one caught Walter and claimed the top prize.

The derby continues until Sunday, with $3,000 worth of prizes still available at the time of this article's publication. This includes “Rosie” worth $250 and a free OFAH Day Camp.

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Norwood Man Catches Top-Prize Fish "Walter" At 33rd Annual Fishing Derby

Norwood’s Justin Desbarbieux is $1,000 richer after catching ‘Walter’ the rainbow trout at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby on Wednesday afternoon.

There were 3,000 fish dumped into the canal last Wednesday to launch the 33rd Annual Under the Lock Fishing Derby. The event was postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Desbarbieux caught the prized rainbow trout — weighing roughly eight to 10 lbs. — around 1:45 p.m. directly across from Liftlock Golf Club on the north side of the canal on Ashburnham Drive.

The Norwood mason said his battle with Walter was long and hard-fought.

"It was probably two or three minutes long," said Desbarbieux. "I could see him instantly belly up and he started swimming and doing circles.

Desbarbieux’s day started off on the wrong foot as he accidentally broke his fishing rod by closing the car door on it. His day was made up after catching the grand-prize fish.

"My adrenaline was pumping and I was trying to run down here and to show everyone," he explained. "I can buy another fishing pole from the money."

Desbarbieux has been participating in the fishing derby since he was a child. He has two sons that participated in the youth event that began on Saturday morning.

The Norwood local is walking away with the grand prize of $1,000 cash and gets to keep Walter.

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Man Wearing "Born To Fish" T-Shirt Catches Walter At Greenwing Fishing Derby

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