This is a mobile app based event to be held on Okanagan Lake in BC. Refer to the map attached to this event for the official boundaries.
The 2026 4th Annual Reel Fishing Derby - is an online event run through Angler’s Atlas website and the mobile app MyCatch. The app is available for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store).
Anyone can participate in the 2026 4th Annual Reel Fishing Derby - and it is for all ages. For those participants sharing a mobile device, participants must login to their own account to submit their catches.
There is a $40.00 adult (18 & older) registration fee, $20 youth (ages 13 - 17) registration fee and a kids (age 12 & under) FREE entry to enter the tournament.
You must first register and pay your entry fee here: https://rusticreel.com/pages/a-reel-fishing-derby All participants must pick up their registration package on site at Rustic Reel Brewing Co. Pick up times are 5 pm - 8 pm Friday June 19th and 7 am - 10 am on Saturday June 20th. Online registration ends at 5 pm June 19th. Late registration opens 5 pm - 8 pm Friday June 19th on site at Rustic Reel Brewing Co. Tickets are non- transferable. Event liability waivers are here: https://rusticreel.com/pages/faqs-rules-liability-waiver (is there a waiver link this year?)
Then you must go to the Anglers Atlas site and sign up for a free account either through the app or on AnglersAtlas.com/sign-up. Here is a helpful video.
Catches must be submitted through the MyCatch app for approval.
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.
Everyone entering the event must download the free MyCatch mobile app which is available for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) and login to activate your account. If you previously have had the app, we suggest doing a check to see if there are updates or simply reload the app.
Then you can register for the event via this URL: CLICK HERE or directly through the app. Here is a quick YouTube video for more information). Once entered, you will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered the event.
This event only supports individual registrations.
Participants must use their own account when submitting their catches. Participants must use the same account login email and password when registering for an event and when submitting catches.
The app supports multiple accounts on the same device so a single phone can be used for multiple participants. For those participants sharing a mobile device, participants must login to their own account to submit their catches through the manage accounts feature.
Practice using the MyCatch app ahead of time
Watch all four 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).
Those anglers 18 and under must obtain a signature from a legal guardian on the liability waiver on the Rustic Reel website (see C below).
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. Our promise to anglers is “Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret”. See below for further details.
This event is for Rainbow Trout and Kokanee only. Anglers can enter up to THREE submissions in this years event.
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).
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 details below.
Each fish must be entered only once.
Fish should be entered at the fishing site, and as soon as possible after catching them.
All fish must be measured with the right side down.
Once a fish is caught, the fish must be placed on its right side on the official supplied ruler, held in place with the hand wearing the official wristband and take a photo through the app showing the overall length and the wristband.
The measurement photo entry must be taken from a birds-eye view looking down on the fish.
This is a total length measurement event, not fork length. The total length of a fish is measured from the tip of the nose or jaw to the tip of the tail (see picture below). The tail can be naturally pinched to the width of the measuring board or left unpinched.
The nose of the fish must be at the start or zero mark on all measuring devices.
The mouth of the fish is allowed to be closed, open, or anywhere in between, so long as the upper and/or lower jaw of the head of the fish is clearly touching the bump of the measurement board or vertical surface.
No other measuring devices except the officially supplied ones are allowed for this event.
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 may still be approved but a 2.5 cm or 1 inch length penalty will be applied. The penalty will apply to the observable length of the fish at the discretion of the Organizer. The entry may also be rejected.
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
Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust entries.
During the entry process you will be prompted for a second photo, often called the Hero Shot, which is optional for this event.
You will also be prompted with a third option which is a video which is also optional for this 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.
Catches that are submitted will have to be reviewed for approval. Once the submissions are reviewed and approved by the organizers, they will appear immediately on the appropriate leaderboard(s). DO NOT EXPECT to see entries show up immediately after you log them. It is the angler's responsibility to ensure all catches are synched by the end of the event in order for them to be eligible.
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. “It was cold/windy” or “My buddy can verify...” will not be considered, and 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
Tournament boundaries are within the water body of Okanagan Lake in BC. See attached map.
The tournament runs from:
Saturday, June 20, 2026 starting at 7:00 am through to
Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm
All catches made within the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server within the event times to qualify.
At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.
Prizes will be awarded as per the following categories:
1 Grand Prize - Longest Overall Fish will be awarded to the participant with the overall longest fish (either Rainbow Trout or Kokanee) and is worth $3300.
2 Randomly Selected Prizes will be awarded to the participants and are worth $950 each.
1 Prize will be awarded to a Youth and is randomly drawn from entered youths and is worth $200. Any participant 12 years and under will be automatically entered into this draw for the chance to win a prize whether a fish was caught and submitted or not. This draw will take place on Sunday at Rustic Reel Brewing Co.
In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the first fish entered.
Any derby prize winner can claim their prize at Rustic Reel Brewing Co on the Sunday following the event or any day afterwards. Winners are not required to be on site on Sunday to win/claim their prize.
By registering and participating in the tournament, all participants agree to abide by the rules and regulations they have received as set out in the 2026 4th Annual A Reel Fishing Derby tournament event rules.
To ensure the best chances of survival for the fish, all participants are to handle fish safely.
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. All anglers in a boat must have their own ticket. Any person fishing in a group without a ticket will have the whole group disqualified.
All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling i.e. using hook, line, rod and reel. 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.
As this event falls on Fathers Day weekend and as per the BC fishing guidelines, NO LICENSE is required to fish this day. For this event, we encourage catch and release fishing but it is not mandatory.
Each contestant must conform to the BC general sport fishing rules and regulations that are in place for the jurisdiction in which you are fishing. You must follow all regulations pertaining to possession and bag limits.
All federal, provincial and local laws must be abided by.
Any angler found to be cheating or breaking any laws will be disqualified from the event. Angler’s Atlas also reserves the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.
Failure to comply with any event rules subjects participants to possible disqualification from the event.
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 contact person for this event is Susi and can be reached by email at [email protected]
The interpretation and enforcement of the rules is at the sole discretion of the organizer. The 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 organizer are final.
Abuse of event officials and volunteers will not be tolerated.
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.nt of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.
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. A $100.00 dollar protest fee may need to accompany the protest. The fee will be returned if the protest is found to be valid.
Participants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times.
All participants must follow boating safety regulations in your jurisdiction.
All photo and video submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas and Rustic Reel Brewing Co. for future use.
By registering for and participating in this event, participants acknowledge that fishing and boating activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, death, property damage, adverse weather, water hazards, equipment failure, and the actions of other participants.
Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in this event and related activities.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, participants hereby release, waive, and discharge Angler’s Atlas, MyCatch, event organizers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or related to participation in the event, including claims arising from negligence.
Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the above parties from any claims brought by third parties arising from the participant’s actions or conduct during the event.
Participants are solely responsible for their own safety, equipment, compliance with all laws and regulations, and for securing appropriate insurance coverage if desired.
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 your 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.
“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 only provided to fisheries researchers under strict conditions.
Every research team we work with who receives location data must sign a data sharing agreement that sets the terms of use for the data consistent with 7A.
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 ([email protected]).
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