The ‘Main Event’ at Queens County Seafest has always been the shark fishing derby. Fishermen from across the province have attended the derby year after year in search of that elusive ’big fish’ and annual bragging rights. Stories of the ‘one that got away’ can be found with the crew of nearing any boat at the marina. One of my favourite tales, and a frustrating one for Bill McDonald of Milton, was when his boat ran out of gas just a few miles from the Brookyln Breakwater. Bill has always maintained that had he been able inch his way to the finish line and qualify that day, his shark would have won the tournament.
A few weeks ago Bill McDonald sent me an email update to ‘our tournament tale’ with this photo attached. Bill explained that it was during Seafest 2006 when his boat ran out of gas only “a few hundred feet” from the Brooklyn Breakwater. Bill noted that when he finally reached the marina his fish measured 11 feet 6 inches in length and weighed 356 lbs. He also said that as far as he was aware, there was no bigger fish landed at the derby. Well..I don’t think you will find Bill and his crew running out of gas again anytime soon!
Bill McDonald (on the left) and 'the big one that didn't count'.
