The holidays are history and the last of the leftovers gone, but now comes the reality that all that remains is our Winter proper season, which can sometimes last until Easter. Unless you’re one of those “snowbirds” that temporarily migrates to the Sunbelt during this span, the time, waiting for Spring to arrive can tend to drag a bit.
Of course this isn’t true with avid snowmobilers, skiers and ice fishermen. Rather than go into self-imposed indoor hibernation, they relish the cold and snow. And a sure sign that we’re entering that mid-winter phase is the arrival of popular ice fishing derbies. The real beauty of these events is you don’t even have to be an ice fishermen to enjoy them, as they’re like large, friendly parties on the ice. Two area ones that have become very popular are the Crappie Derby at Whitney Point and the Lions Club’s Perch Derby at Chenango Lake.
According to Dave Hughes, derby chairman, the 2011 running of the almost-annual New York State Crappie Derby is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. The Derby is a family oriented event that allows everyone to get outdoors after a couple of months of being cooped up inside. Although it is primarily an Ice Fishing event, other attractions will also be provided for spectators. There are usually far more spectators present than registered contestants. Prize categories exist for those not successful in catching fish.
The entry fee is $2 for those over 12 years – free 12 and under. It is sponsored by the Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association and the Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation. Free parking is available at Dorchester Park in Whitney Point as well as Kiebel Road extension on the west side of Whitney Point Lake. Thousands of dollars in prizes will be awarded throughout the day with a significant amount set aside for the kids. We’ll find a reason to give them a prize.
Thousands of people attend each year when we’re lucky enough to develop safe ice. In January of 2010, 1339 registered to fish and compete for prizes and, including spectators, over 4,000 people were in attendance. The purse last year was over $14,000.
There is something for everyone: an excellent fishing lake, prizes for fish, along with Door Prizes, a midway with a number of exhibits, refreshments including great chili and chowder, and also port-a-johns on the ice. Some of the organizations participating will be the Ross Park Zoo (with some live animals and/or birds), Finch Hollow Nature Center with educational displays; the National Weather Service (with a real-time digital weather station) and we’re emphasizing seminars on the ice for new ice anglers – especially the kids. This year we will have Professional Ice Fishermen (ProStaff) hired by major outdoor product manufacturers/distributors. These ProStaff reps will be conducting continuous seminars during the derby day. Got a youngster who doesn’t know anything about ice fishing but wants to learn? All you have to do is dress warm and show up. If you have some equipment, bring it. If not, we will have loaners to show you how to participate in this outdoor activity.
Prizes are donated by local merchants and organizations, with some sponsors from outside New York State. For a thorough description and updates, check out our website at www.crappiederby.com.
“We have again been fortunate to receive the support of area businesses in donating prizes for the Perch Derby,” said Chairman John Weidman, “and we encourage everyone to plan on visiting us on the ice in February.”
The Oxford Lions Club is pleased to announce that the 12th Chenango Lake Perch Derby date is set for Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, with a postponement date of Feb. 19. Last year the Derby attracted over 800 registrants and spectators to Chenango Lake in the town of New Berlin.
