Tears, Cheers, and an Engagement: 70th Annual Derby Awards Ceremony
The eight grand leaders from the 70th annual derby.
The eight grand leaders from the 70th annual derby.
The moment of victory for Stephen Pietruska, the winner of a new Chevrolet truck.
The moment of victory for Stephen Pietruska, the winner of a new Chevrolet truck.
Stephen Pietruska poses in Menemsha with the 41.98-pound striped bass that won him a new truck from Clay Chevrolet.
Stephen Pietruska poses in Menemsha with the 41.98-pound striped bass that won him a new truck from Clay Chevrolet.
Derby committee member Wilson Kerr presents Will Roberts, 14, of Boxford, with a special spirit award. Will won a fishing rod.
Derby committee member Wilson Kerr presents Will Roberts, 14, of Boxford, with a special spirit award. Will won a fishing rod.
Most of the first place winners in the flyrod division.
Most of the first place winners in the flyrod division.
Colby and John Zarba of West Tisbury won the Beaulieu/Loud Memorial Award, which recognizes family relationships.
Colby and John Zarba of West Tisbury won the Beaulieu/Loud Memorial Award, which recognizes family relationships.
Special award winners.
Special award winners.
Zachary Magid won a kayak.
Zachary Magid won a kayak.
Annual awards ceremony always draws a crowd.
Annual awards ceremony always draws a crowd.
Happy tears for Miles Whyte and Deanna Withers.
Happy tears for Miles Whyte and Deanna Withers.
The newly bethrothed Ms. Withers.
The newly bethrothed Ms. Withers.
And they sailed into the sunset on their new boat,
And they sailed into the sunset on their new boat,
This year's Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish awards ceremony featured a twist not yet seen in the 70-year history of the beloved derby: a proposal. Moments after Miles Whyte of Edgartown won a new Eastern Boats fishing vessel, he asked his girlfriend, Deanna Withers, to marry him. She said yes and there were few dry eyes among those gathered at Farm Neck.
In more usual business, awards were handed out in categories ranging from sportsmanship to flyrod fishing. The big draw of the day had the grand leaders drawing keys to find out who would win a new Chevrolet truck from Clay Chevrolet and a new Eastern Boats fishing vessel. The striped bass division carried the day. Mr. Whyte, who caught the largest shore striped bass with a 37.95-pound beauty, won the boat. Stephen (Striper Steve) Pietruska, a seasonal West Tisbury resident, caught the largest striped bass by boat, a 41.98-pounder. This was the fourth time Mr. Pietruska has caught the biggest bass from a boat, but this year he was the winner of a new truck.
And so the book is closed on this year's derby, the weigh station closed until next September. See you next year.