mapleridgenews.compart of BClocalnews.com January 05, 2008  For the second year in a row, Wade Gienow has been crowned the Boxing Day Stealhead Derby champion.While catching the biggest fish fills him with pride and a big smile, it also “feels like I’m getting lynched by the mob,” jokes the good-humoured fisherman.It’s a very competitive event that draws hundreds of people to the Vedder River every year in Chilliwack. Gienow beat out 245 other anglers for the title, including half a dozen of his closest fishing buddies.“The fish felt awesome,” said Gienow who weighed in his catch 20 minutes before the competition closed.The derby opened as soon as daylight hit the area and closed at 2 p.m. Gienow had his fish on the scale at 1:40 p.m. and recorded a weight of 14 pounds and eight ounces. Along with the coveted title, Gienow also won a guided fishing trip off Vancouver Island. He kept the title, but decided to send his parents on the fishing trip.“They love ocean fishing,” said Gienow, who credits his parents for teaching him everything he knows about the sport. “They taught me how it’s done.”Gienow says his parents took him ocean fishing even before he was born. And by the time he reached the tender age of one, he had his own fishing rod in his little hands.Gienow focussed on ocean fishing for the first 18 years of his life, and now at age 31, he enjoys river fishing.“I’ve been river fishing since I was 10,” he noted. “I stick to the rivers. I love it because I can put my feet on the ground.”Gienow, who works a a fishing guide, fished competitively when he was younger, but now he just goes out on the river whenever he’s not working. It’s a social event for Gienow and his friends, and it can be done all year round. They like to share stories and fishing tactics. “Just keep your fly in the water,” the derby champ advised.