Eighth Annual John Riordan Topaz Lake Invitational Derby

By Don Quilici

On April 24-26, John Riordan, who is the bar manager for the Pinion Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Carson Station Hotel and Casino, both in Carson City, will host his Eighth Annual Topaz Lake Invitational Fishing Derby.

That highly-popular, fun-filled derby will be headquartered, as usual, jointly at the Topaz Lake Marina and the Topaz Lodge and Casino, located at Topaz Lake.

And, as usual, my three partners, Norm Budden, Don Hettrick, Bob "Slick" McCulloch, and Don Q will be entered to be part of that fun. And, as usual, the team of the two Dons will be trying desperately to outfish the other two "Scoundrels" for bragging rights for the rest of the year.

Unfortunately, the two Dons have not done very well the past few years. But, being sneaky, I always blame Hettrick for our lack of success. Hey, it works!

By way of some history, the first John Riordan Invitational Fishing Derby was held many years ago at Bodega Bay in Northern California.

That derby was the idea of Steve Ustal, Riordan's brother-in-law, who died Jan. 28, last year.

That first-ever, get-together attracted only four people who fished for Ling and Rock Cod. On that trip, the idea of having an annual derby took root and grew.

The next year, 10 contestants were entered in the event, which was also held at Bodega Bay.

Then, the third year, a group of 25 people (including yours truly on his first-ever try) traveled to Bodega Bay. On that trip, I was lucky enough to catch the largest Rock Cod, and I've been seriously "hooked" as an annual contestant ever since.

Through the years, the derbies have been headquartered at different locations including Bodega Bay, Bucks Lake near Quincy, Calif., the Walker River Resort in Smith Valley and for the last seven years at Topaz Lake.

Through those years, my top three all-time memories are:

1. The second year I was a contestant at Bodega Bay.

There was a party of 28 people on that boat, and 24 of the 28 (including a very green-looking Don Q) got terribly seasick in the rough ocean waters. I've never been so God-awful sick in my entire life!

2. The small brook trout that I caught at Bucks Lake.

It was only about 12 inches long, but it took first place in the Brook Trout Category. It was bigger than the winning fish in the Mackinaw, Rainbow, German Brown Trout and Kokanee Salmon categories. Honest!

3. The year that John Riordan had someone create a life-size photo poster of yours truly to use as a target for dart throwers.

They paid $5 for three darts with all the proceeds donated to charity. You can't believe where they were deliberately throwing those wicked-looking darts!

Beginning last year, a perpetual trophy, dedicated to the memory of Steve Ustal, is now awarded to the lucky angler who catches the largest fish in the derby.

Unfortunately for the two Dons, last year, Norm Budden won, and he and Slick have not let Hettrick and I forget it. Those two could be so easy to hate!

The John Riordan Invitational Derby has grown to include about 125 contestants each year.

It traditionally features a hamburger/hotdog barbecue on Sunday evening at the Marina, a barbecued Tri-Tip and chicken dinner also at the Marina on Monday night and then the big Prime Rib dinner and awards banquet at the Lodge on Tuesday evening.

The contestants will be able to fish in these Nevada waters: Topaz Lake, Topaz Canal, the East and West Walker Rivers, the East, West and Main Carson Rivers, Fort Churchill Cooling Ponds, Hinkson Slough, Lahontan Reservoir, Weber Reservoir and Walker Lake.

They will compete for cash prizes ($150 for first, $75 for second and $25 for third) in these categories: Catfish, German Brown Trout, Walker Lake Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and Any Other Trout.

The derby will be a fun-filled occasion where everyone will have a chance to visit with friends, fish, try to win some money, eat good food, etc.

Aw, to heck with "visiting with friends." Don and Don just want to outfish Norm and Slick.

• Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you the best I have ever done in all of those derbies.

If he grins and says, "It was the year Don took first, second and third place in the Cutthroat category and got booed by everyone at the banquet," he could have been one of those booing.

• Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.