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<img align="left" src="http://fish-hawk.net/partners/oziles.gif" />Want to fish a fun Derby that will test your skills and help raise some money for Christie Lake Kids? Join Fishhawk and Bobber on June 11, 2006.

Want to try a fun Derby that will test your skills and help raise some money for Christie Lake Kids?

What is it?
The objective is to catch and weigh three fish - a walleye (also called a pickerel in these parts), a channel catfish and a northern pike. The team with the greatest three-fish total weight – maximum one of each species - is the winner. A second objective of the Derby is to have fun and raise funds for Christie Lake Kids.

When and where is it?
June 11, 2006 at Petrie Island on the Ottawa River. Teams will leave from the launch at Oziles. The Derby starts at 07:00 and all teams must have returned to the launch by 16:00. You can weigh your fish before 16:00 if you like. Prizes will be awarded at 17:00.

Who can enter?
Anyone can enter, however teams must have one individual at least 16 years old. Teams must be fishing from a boat with a functional livewell.

How much does it cost to enter?
It costs $25 per team to enter the derby. Teams can register and pay prior to Derby Day. Launch fees at Oziles are $8 per boat.

What are the prizes?
Payout is based on the number of teams that enter. From the total of all entry fees
- 1/3 goes to Christie Lake Kids
- 1/3 goes to the winning team
- 1/9 goes to team with heaviest walleye
- 1/9 goes to team with heaviest channel catfish
- 1/9 goes to team with heaviest northern pike
- Draw prize (Pfleuger rod and reel combo) for teams weighing one fish of each species.

How do I register?
You can register your team early by paying at Oziles’. Teams will leave the launch area in order of paid registration so pay early and get an advantage. On June 11, registration begins at 06:00.

Official Rules

1. All teams must have a lot of fun.

2. The objective for each team is to catch and weigh a walleye (pickerel or sauger), a northern pike and a channel catfish.

3. The winning team will have the heaviest three-fish bag.

4. Teams that weigh one fish of each species will qualify for a special draw prize of a Pfleuger rod and reel combo, compliments of Oziles'.

5. A fish that is weighed and released alive will be awarded an additional ½ lb to it’s weight.

6. All fish must be caught in the Ottawa River or waters navigable from the Ottawa River with the exception of the Rideau River.

7. The entry fee for a team is $25.00.

8. Prize payout is based upon the number of teams that enter the Derby. From the total of all entry fees received:
- 1/3 goes to Christie Lake Kids
- 1/3 goes to the winning team
- 1/9 goes to team with heaviest walleye
- 1/9 goes to team with heaviest channel catfish
- 1/9 goes to team with heaviest northern pike
- Draw prize (Pfleuger rod and reel combo) for teams weighing one fish of each species.

9. A team can have only one person on it and no more than two.

10. At least one person on a team has to be 16 years old.

11. All teams must fish from a boat.

12. All fish weighed by a team must have been caught from that team's boat.

13. Unless there is an emergency, no teams may go ashore unless they intend to weigh their fish.

14. Once a team weighs its fish that team’s weight is final for the derby.

15. Boats must stay a minimum of 100 feet from all other boats.

16. All boats must have a functional live well.

17. All boats are subject to an inspection and live well check prior to the start of the Derby.

18. The Derby is over at 4:00. If your team is late it is eliminated. Don't be late returning!

19. Quebec and Ontario regulations governing angling in the Ottawa River must be followed.

20. Live bait is permitted.

My nine year old daughter and I will be signing up soon. She is pretty excited.

I think this derby should be both exciting and a lot of fun. I think there is a great opportunity for a bunch of anglers to get together afterwards for a BBQ / get-together too.

If there is any kind of a derby that will prompt a good discussion afterwards it's one like this where every team will have a different approach. Some teams will do nothing but go after a big pike. Some will go after a honking big catfish. Some are going to be confident they can catch a four or five lb pickerel. Some will be sure they can catch a good fish of each species. It will definitely be a challenge to catch one of each species. For sure, everyone should have a reasonable chance to catch a catfish and a pike.

Would there be some pike guys that would team up with a pickerel guy?

One thing is for sure - there will be some surprises at the end of the day.

What would ya do if you were gonna be in it? Personally, I think I would have a reasonable shot at catching a walleye and a catfish in roughly the same spots. My big pike may wait for the afternoon.

Is anyone else considering the Derby?

Sounds like a pretty neat idea, Mike. One question: $8 launch fee. Is the money collected for launching this large contingent of boats going right to Christie Lake? I'd hope so, as that's a big chunk of cash that could go to a great cause, and it would be an honourable gesture on Oziles part. Since only $8.33 from every boat entry fee goes to the camp, throw the other $8 launch fee to it and you've doubled the proceeds. Just a thought...
Might look into this if I am free that weekend..
Good Fishing,
Justin

JustinHoffman wrote:Sounds like a pretty neat idea, Mike. One question: $8 launch fee. Is the money collected for launching this large contingent of boats going right to Christie Lake? I'd hope so, as that's a big chunk of cash that could go to a great cause, and it would be an honourable gesture on Oziles part. Since only $8.33 from every boat entry fee goes to the camp, throw the other $8 launch fee to it and you've doubled the proceeds. Just a thought...
Might look into this if I am free that weekend..
Good Fishing,
Justin

Hi Justin,

I can tell you that Oziles is reducing its boat launch fee to 8.00 for derby participants (thanks Oziles). This is half price. Oziles is running the Derby and will be putting in the time and effort to make it run smooth. I do not believe they have plans for donating their launch fee, however I consider the work they will be doing to make things run smoothly for the participants to be quite a contribution.

I hope you will participate - this is gonna be a different kind of derby and I think it will be interesting to see what happens at the end of it.

I like the suggestion. Note that the new ramp will not be completed in time for the derby. Participants will have to use the regular ramp. Official opening is targeted for the end of the first week of July. What I am willing to do is donate half of all derby launch fees to the camp kids....

Classy......

Oziles wrote:I like the suggestion. Note that the new ramp will not be completed in time for the derby. Participants will have to use the regular ramp. Official opening is targeted for the end of the first week of July. What I am willing to do is donate half of all derby launch fees to the camp kids....

And there you have it. Great gesture Yves and thanks.

That's a great gesture re the boat launch fees. Thanks Yves.

My understanding is that Big Jim will be making an appearance at the weigh-in. That big lug - he can't stand being too far away from the action.

Fishhawk wrote:My understanding is that Big Jim will be making an appearance at the weigh-in. That big lug - he can't stand being too far away from the action.

Does anyone know how many have signed up yet or about how many will attend this event?

RVALLEE1 wrote: Does anyone know how many have signed up yet or about how many will attend this event?

THe suspense is killing me too.

I know there will be some people fishing somewhere on Sunday morning - no matter how bad the weather.

I'm hoping a few of these people might decide to donate some of their time to fishing a great stretch of the Ottawa River. I mean - if you're gonna be fishing somewhere why not fish there?

Ya know what? Why not come out regardles of the derby. You don't have to enter it, just come out and fish - like ya would somewhere on a Sunday morning. Hang around for the post fish social too.

But if ya want to take a chance, pay in to the derby and perhaps you'll win a neat prize or two.

Speaking of prizes. I have a real nice Magnus Net to give away to the person who catches the heaviest pike of the Derby. Weighing your fish at boatside is about to get easier.

At this point, I can say for sure that no matter what the weather, me and Bobber will be duking it out. He's been catching good fish all spring, except for last week-end, and will be tough to beat.

But I'm feeling lucky!

Bobber nor I can win the Magnus Net - its our prize to Musky Matt and his daughter - if they decide to brave the elements that is. They are the only ones I know to have expressed intent.

I'd have to say that if ya come down, pay-in to the derby, go fishing until you catch a pike, there's good odds you'll be getting yourself a great fishing net with a handy built-in scale for $25... that is if you can wrestle it out of the hands of Musky Matts daughter.

Are there any brave people out there?

Anything to report regarding this derby?
Fishhawk, Bobber? anyone
Curious to hear what was caught!

Walleye, Pike, Catfish, Sauger, Sheephead, Perch, Sticks, Logs, and I think I almost caught my brother on the backswing of a spinner bait launch.

We're gathering the pics now and will most likely post a report soon. Bottom line, had a lot of fun, beautiful day, tough fish for all, disappointed in the number of boats that showed up, but a great time in any case.

Catching 3 specific species in a 9hour tournament proved to be quite a challenge....more than I thought it would be....but I'd definately do all over again. Makes you think about a lot of different strategies and locations all at once. I encourage anyone to do this type of derby if it comes around again.

Stay tuned for the report I'm sure.