The vicious ice storms and frigid temperatures from last week will finally be put to some good use in the upcoming weekend as people all over the area gather for the annual East Grand Area Ice Fishing Derby. For the tenth straight year, hundreds of fishermen will gather together throughout the East Grand area for a weekend of fishing and friendly competition. The derby will take place on the East Grand, Bracket, Deering, and the North lakes. Last year’s derby drew 800 people, and the same turnout is expected for 2008.
The derby will start half an hour prior to sunrise on Friday, Feb. 22 and run all weekend up until Sunday night. Fish must be registered by 4:30 p.m. each day in order to be eligible. The festivities will end with a dinner at the Danforth Weston Grange where a plethora of prizes will be given out, including a $1,000 cash grand prize.
A special grand prize of a lifetime fishing license goes to the winner of the youth division. Other cash prizes will be given as well as numerous bonus drawings for over 40 different prizes. Prizes in these drawings range from a snow scoop to a weekend stay at one of the local lodges.
For the junior contest a $50 savings bond is given out for the biggest salmon or togue in both boys’ and girls’ divisions, while more than $500 will be given out in largest fish prizes for adults throughout seven categories of fish.
Last year’s winners included David Kinney, who went home with the grand prize in the adult class, and Joe Champagne who took the top prize for the youngsters.
Even with all the drawings and prizes given out, derby organizer Buck Plummer stresses that the competition isn’t the most important factor.
“We’re hoping everyone in the area will show up and bring their kids,” he said. “We look for parents to bring their children and get them involved in the outdoors instead of being in front of the TV.”
The bad storms over the past week should have no affect on the number of people that will show up, says Plummer. He believes that attendance will only depend on the weather of the weekend of the derby, and that the bitter cold along with last week’s sleet will only help the lakes get another layer of ice.
Plummer also insists that ironically the best crowds have seemed to come on rainy days in the past.
Registration for the derby and raffle tickets can be purchased at local businesses right up until Sunday, Feb. 24. Everyone is encouraged to go register and enjoy the great outdoors for a lively weekend of fishing with friends and children.
The derby will start half an hour prior to sunrise on Friday, Feb. 22 and run all weekend up until Sunday night. Fish must be registered by 4:30 p.m. each day in order to be eligible. The festivities will end with a dinner at the Danforth Weston Grange where a plethora of prizes will be given out, including a $1,000 cash grand prize.
A special grand prize of a lifetime fishing license goes to the winner of the youth division. Other cash prizes will be given as well as numerous bonus drawings for over 40 different prizes. Prizes in these drawings range from a snow scoop to a weekend stay at one of the local lodges.
For the junior contest a $50 savings bond is given out for the biggest salmon or togue in both boys’ and girls’ divisions, while more than $500 will be given out in largest fish prizes for adults throughout seven categories of fish.
Last year’s winners included David Kinney, who went home with the grand prize in the adult class, and Joe Champagne who took the top prize for the youngsters.
Even with all the drawings and prizes given out, derby organizer Buck Plummer stresses that the competition isn’t the most important factor.
“We’re hoping everyone in the area will show up and bring their kids,” he said. “We look for parents to bring their children and get them involved in the outdoors instead of being in front of the TV.”
The bad storms over the past week should have no affect on the number of people that will show up, says Plummer. He believes that attendance will only depend on the weather of the weekend of the derby, and that the bitter cold along with last week’s sleet will only help the lakes get another layer of ice.
Plummer also insists that ironically the best crowds have seemed to come on rainy days in the past.
Registration for the derby and raffle tickets can be purchased at local businesses right up until Sunday, Feb. 24. Everyone is encouraged to go register and enjoy the great outdoors for a lively weekend of fishing with friends and children.
