Competitive anglers of all ages flocked to Flaming Gorge over the weekend for the annual Burbot Bash and the event did not disappoint. The event hosted 166 teams made up of 525 anglers and there was a grand total of 2,236 burbot bashed. Burbot are illegally stocked in Flaming Gorge and are having a devastating effect on the fishery there thus prompting the annual fishing derby to rid the waters of as many burbot as possible. The big winners from this weekend’s event were Michael McIntyre for catching one of the coveted tagged fish with a $1,900 cash award and L. Anglesey for catching the biggest burbot at 34.4 inches for a $1,500 cash award. The team Wild Turkey won $2,000 for the most burbot caught at 186. The two youth winners each won $200 cash with Emma Asay catching the biggest burbot for youth at 29 inches and Max McIntyre catching the smallest burbot for youth at 10 inches. The other teams in the top 5 included the Bottom Feeders, Team Schofield, Team Asay, and Burbaholics Anonymous. The team ‘4 Burbot Walked Into A Bar’ won for best team name. If you missed out on the fun, there is no catch limit for burbot on Flaming Gorge and both Wyoming and Utah game officials encourage anglers to harvest as many as possible.
