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BOXING DAY STEELHEAD DERBY
DERBY POSTPONED UNTIL SATURDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2026
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
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.
- Tickets are $20/registrant and are available both online and at our Chilliwack or Abbotsford stores.
- Online ticket sales close at 10 pm Friday, January 9th, 2026, with in-store registration available before the store closes Wednesday, December 24th, 2025. 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 7:30 am and 2:30 pm on Saturday, January 10th, 2026 will be eligible for both derbies.
Derby Day and the Rules
- The Chilliwack store will be open from 7:30 am – 2:30 pm, with weigh-ins for the Boxing Day Steelhead Derby closing at 2:30 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.
- 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 / Sumas River from boundary markers 100M below the confluence of Slesse Creek downstream to CN Railway bridge in the Sumas river.
- Fish must only be caught in the Chilliwack / Vedder River on January 10th, 2026, 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 clipped, hatchery-marked steelhead of 5 lbs or over (MISCLIPS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED).
- Only one hatchery steelhead may be entered into the derby per angler. Currently, the regulations for the Chilliwack / Vedder does 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.
- 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 3:00 pm and posted on our social media and website. Winners who are not present at the awards ceremony will FORFEIT their prize
- If cancellation of the derby is deemed necessary, a notice will be published on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and on www.fredscustomtackle.com. We will also make every effort to send out an email announcement.
- In the event that the Derby is cancelled prior to January 10th, 2026, we will announce an alternate date based on the situation.
Questions and Answers
If I registered for the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby, am I also registered for the Boxing Day Derby?
No. They are two separate derbies.
If I register for the Boxing Day Derby am I also registered for the Wally Hall Jr. Memorial Steelhead Derby?
No. They are two separate derbies.
Will there be prizes for people who don't weigh in a fish?
You never know, there may be door prizes. However, you must be present to win something.
What if I am unable to make it to the derby?
We will not be doing refunds.
Will there be a sign-in in the morning?
No. The weigh-in scale opens up at 7:30 am on December 26th, 2025. 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 info@fredscustomtackle.com, or call one of our stores - Abbotsford @ 1-604-746-1481, Chilliwack @ 1-604-858-7344.