A few “first-evers” stoled the show in Bluewater Bar and Grille’s debut fishing competition.

With a forecast calling for gale-force winds on, Saturday, Jan. 21, only 10 boats braved the weather to take part in the Friday Harbor’s restaurants first-ever blackmouth fishing contest. San Juan Channel proved fairly calm and protected, however, as winds blew from the west on the day of the event.

Chad Hoffman landed a 11.4-pound blackmouth — a first-ever for the Friday Harbor fisherman — to net the competition top prize, a $1,000 check in a winner-take-all competition.

Event organizers are considering sponsoring a sequel to Saturday’s single-day competition before the end of spring. Possible dates reportedly are March 3 and April 26.