2026 Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club Annual Fish Derby

For Members Only

Creston, British Columbia

January 1 - December 31, 2026

Official Rules

1. General Information

This is a length-based fishing tournament to be held in the 2026 Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club Annual Fish Derby. Refer to the map attached to this event for the official boundaries.
The tournament will be run through the MyCatch mobile app.
Only Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club members can participate in the 2026 Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club Annual Fish Derby and it is for all ages. Each registration applies to a single individual. For those participants sharing a mobile device, participants must login to their own account to submit their catches through the manage accounts feature.
There is a $10 (plus tax) fee to enter for adults and youth entries will be paid for by the club. Youth for this event will be anyone who is 15 and under.
Each contestant must have a valid British Columbia fishing license or otherwise be exempt from needing one.
Anglers may record fish between 12:00:00 (MST) am Wednesday January 1 2026, to 11:59:00 (MST) pm Wednesday December 31, 2026.

2.Getting Started

Catches must be submitted through the MyCatch app. In order for catches to be sent properly, you must use the same login email and password for both the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch app.
Anglers will need to download and use the free MyCatch app (available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) to submit their fish entries for the tournament. For first time users, you must set up your account first. To do this, please complete the following: https://www.anglersatlas.com/sign-up If you previously have had the app, we suggest doing a check to see if there are updates or simply reload the app.
Anglers must then also register for the tournament online at: 2026 Creston Valley Rod & Gun Annual Fish Derby. If you need help with the registration process, please watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3PzcIoGo4
You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered the event.
Practice using the MyCatch app ahead of time

Watch all three videos available at this link to familiarize yourself with the app: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1Yp9OqZ6saBgaKklT5jh6DkuTbai3NeJ
Test the app before you go out fishing (note: the app allows you to record fish for your own personal logbook while not in an active event. Some features will appear slightly different when you are not in an active event, so please make sure you watch the YouTube videos at the link above).

By participating in this event your name may be publicly visible.
Protecting anglers’ privacy is a priority, and any location data collected during the event will not be released to the public. Angler’s Atlas promise to anglers is “Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret”. See below for further details.

3. Catch Reporting Rules

This is a length based tournament for Bull Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout (Steelhead not included) Burbot, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass only, no other species will be permitted.
Recognize fish species using the following information: BC Fresh Water Species
In order for each catch to qualify, a photograph of the fish on a measuring device must be taken using the MyCatch app (ie. photos cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source). Our app now tags each entry with a unique, identifiable QR code.
All contestants must have GPS/location services enabled on your cell phone for their catches to qualify. Your location data will be protected. For more information, see section 8 below for details.
Each fish must be entered only once.
Fish should be entered as soon as possible after catching and catches must be recorded at the fishing site.
All fish must be measured with the right side down (the right side of the fish must be facing down or touching the board) and the left side of the fish facing upwards.
This is a total length measurement tournament. NOT fork length. See pic below for reference. The total length of a fish is measured from the tip of the nose or jaw to the tip of the tail with the tail naturally pinched. The tail may be pinched to the width of the board or left unpinched.

All catches will be approved to the last physical line on a measuring device. If it extends past a mark but there are no physical lines to confirm the true length, the last mark it crosses will be used. If a fish is longer than the angler's bump board, the longest measurement on the board will be counted.
The photo entry must be taken from a birds-eye view looking down on the fish.
Anglers can only submit catches that they have caught themselves. This is an individual tournament, so you cannot enter as a partnership or team, and under no circumstances can you share fish with any other angler. Anglers are free to fish alone or with other tournament or non-tournament anglers, but each registered angler may only enter their own fish on their own app.
If you measure your fish entry on a commercially purchased bumpboard, these rules must be followed:

The nose of the fish must be visibly touching the bump end of the board,
The fish must be placed on top of the board,
The entire fish showing the head and tail must be visible in the measurement photo. We must also see past the head and tail in the photo.

If you measure your fish entry on a homemade bumpboard, these rules must be followed:

The measurement rules are the same as above.
Homemade bumpboards must have a solid edge or "bump" for the fish to be set against and it must line up with the 0 mark on the tape.

If you measure your fish using a tape measure, these rules must be followed:

The fish nose and the start of the tape must be aligned by placing both against a solid edge.
The fish's nose must be aligned with the zero mark on the tape,
The tape measure must be beside the fish, not on top of the fish.
The fish cannot be on top of the tape measure or cover it in any way
The entire fish showing the head and tail and past the tail must be visible in the measurement photo.
*Rapala roll out tapes will be treated as a tape measure*

Soft/Flexible/Fabric measuring tapes are not allowed in this event.
Sliding/Expandable Bump boards are not allowed for this event.
Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust entries. They also have the right to ask for a picture sent to them of your measuring device.
If an entry submission comes in where a measuring rule is not followed, such as the nose is not touching the bump or at the zero mark, the fish will be rejected.
A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish, including head and tail, on the measuring device may not be scored for length. More than one attempt to get a valid scoring photo is allowed. The app will prompt you to either accept the photo or retake a photo.
During the entry process, a second photo, called the Hero Shot, consisting of the angler holding the fish, will be prompted in the entry procedure and is optional but encouraged for this event.
During the event, the app will work without WiFi or any or strong cell service. If you submit a fish without any or strong enough service, the app will tell you that the fish has been recorded, and that it will sync up to the server once you return to service. Every fish you log (whether in good service or not) will appear in your app’s Log View (2nd icon from the left at the bottom). If you have fish “awaiting sync,” it will indicate this here. The submissions will eventually come through on their own once you return to service, but you can help speed up the process by “manually syncing” those pending logs (see how here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU-AwLc8OLY) once you’re in service. The logs are time/date/location stamped to the moment that they were taken, so even if the submission is delayed, the time on that submission will still be accurate.
Fish DO NOT show up on any of the leaderboards until they have been approved by the Organizer’s Team, so don’t expect to see them reflected on the leaderboard immediately. If you want to ensure that your fish was recorded successfully, check the Log View of your app (2nd icon from the left at the bottom). If your fish is there, it logged successfully.
IMPORTANT: Arguing against or trying to attribute reason as to why any of the above rules could not be followed will have ZERO bearing on the ruling of a rejected fish. NO exceptions will be made. It is on the angler to review their photo thoroughly and submit an acceptable photo based on the above rules.
A great resource is the MyCatch video that shows how to complete an entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS65wMakQHA

4. Tournament Location and Times

Tournament boundaries include the freshwaters of the Province of British Columbia. See the map attached to this event
The tournament runs from:

Thursday, January 1, 2026 starting at 12:00 am (MST) through to

Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm (MST)

All catches made within the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server by January 1, 2027 at 9:00:00 am (MST) in order to qualify.

5. Awards & Prizes

Prizes - Prizes for the tournament will be distributed in accordance with the prizing categories below.

Bull Trout
Cutthroat Trout (excludes Cutbow hybrids)
Rainbow Trout (includes Cutbow hybrids, excludes Steelhead)
Burbot
Largemouth Bass / Smallmouth Bass

The 1st place general fish category trophy will be a buckle in each species if the entry meets or exceeds the minimum buckle length requirement which are:

Bull Trout - 32” / 813mm
Cutthroat Trout - 18” / 457mm
Rainbow Trout - 32” / 813mm
Burbot - 40” / 1016mm
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass - 20” / 508mm

If two or more entries are above the minimum buckle requirement only the top entry will receive a buckle)

Junior fish category:

Same as the general fish category with the exception that it is only open to members 15 years or younger of age.

*(junior entries that qualify for a buckle will be moved to the general fish category, buckles are only awarded in the general fish category)

Fisherman of the Year category:

Is awarded to the member (16 years of age or older) with the most entries.

Junior Fisherman of the Year category:

Is awarded to the member (15 years of age or younger) with the most entries.

A participant can only win one prize placing per prize category.
In the case of a tie, the tie break will go to the person who entered the tied fish first. If a tie still exists, the tie break will go to the person with the highest number of fish reported.
Prizes will be awarded at the 2027 annual trophy banquet.
Once the tournament concludes, a full review process will begin between the Organizer and their team. Results will not be confirmed, announced, or made public until Thursday January 15, 2026. Following this review process, the results will be final.

6. General Rules

By registering and participating in the 2026 Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club Annual Fish Derby, all participants agree to abide by the rules and regulations they have received as set out in these tournament event rules.
All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling i.e. using hook, line, rod and reel including tip ups. At no time will fish caught by non angling (i.e. use of traps, trap nets or cages) be allowed to be entered. Fish cannot be snagged, netted, speared etc. Usage of a landing net to land a hooked fish is allowed.
Each contestant must have in their possession a valid fishing license for their respective jurisdiction or be exempt under regulations of their jurisdiction.
Each contestant must conform to the general sport fishing rules and regulations that are in place for the jurisdiction in which they are fishing. You must follow all regulations pertaining to possession limits.
All federal, provincial and local laws must be abided by.
Promoters and organizers assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire or any loss to any contestants.
All questions or concerns relating to the rules of this tournament are to be referred to the Organizer. Their decision will be final in all cases. No other person can be considered a spokesman for the rules during the tournament. The contacts for this event are Mark Halonen at Dragginfly24@hotmail.com OR Richard Benko at rbenkowest@gmail.com.
The interpretation and enforcement of the rules is at the sole discretion of the Organizer aided by their committee and Angler’s Atlas representatives. The tournament Organizer may change rules or impose sanctions as they deem appropriate, including but not limited to disqualifications, forfeiture of prizes, and prohibition from competing in future tournaments. All decisions made by the tournament Organizer are final.
Abuse of tournament officials and volunteers will not be tolerated.
Any angler found to be cheating, breaking the law or disobeying the rules will be disqualified from the tournament. Failure to comply with any tournament rules subjects participants to disqualification and removal from the tournament, as determined by the tournament officials. The right to refuse sale and/or revoke a competition entry to anyone is hereby reserved. Angler’s Atlas also reserves the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.
Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant by contacting an Organizer through email and must be completed and presented within 1 hour of the close of the tournament. Their decision will be final in all cases.
In the event of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.
All rules have loopholes. It is our intention to provide an honest sportsmanlike tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded the spirit of the rule will prevail in all judgments.
All participants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any participant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of fishing could be disqualified.
Participants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times.
All participants must follow boating safety regulations in your jurisdiction.
This event will also be applicable during ice fishing season. Practice ice safety at all times! Fishing is only allowed on a minimum of at least 4 inches of ice. Only walk and fish where it is safe to do so.
All photo and video submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas and the Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club for future use.

7. Proper Fish Handling

The following are not rules - they are simply a reference to best practices of handling fish.

We highly encourage conservation and the proper handling of all fish caught. To ensure the best chances of survival for all released fish, all participants are to handle fish safely.
Whenever feasible, keep the fish in the water while handling as long as possible
Cut the line as close to the hook as possible if a swallowed hook can’t be easily removed
Have the camera ready prior to landing fish to minimize air exposure
Hold large fish horizontally and support its body to avoid damage to the internal organs
Do not hold or support the fish by its gills, gill covers or eyes.
Use wet hands when handling a fish. Handle the fish quickly and as little as possible.
When releasing a fish, never throw it into the water.

8.Data Privacy and Fisheries Research

“Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret” — This is our primary commitment to anglers who report their catches through MyCatch. So what does this mean in practice?

Angler’s Atlas does not release MyCatch GPS data to the public. It is treated as confidential and is provided to fisheries researchers under strict conditions.
Every research team we work with must sign a data sharing agreement that sets the terms of use for the data.
Data is anonymized before it is provided to the researcher.
Researchers agree not to share the data with anyone else.
Researchers cannot use the data for any purpose other than the research specified in the agreement.
Exact location data cannot be published as part of the scientific research. Instead, it has to be generalized to a larger region so the location cannot be reverse engineered.
Angler’s Atlas may release data to a law enforcement agency if compelled to do so under court order.

These data privacy rules are designed to protect our angler’s private data, to conserve the fisheries, and to make sure we maintain a trusting relationship with our anglers into the future. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to Angler’s Atlas President directly by email (sean@anglersatlas.com).

2026 Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club Members Annual Fish Derby

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