April 1 not only heralds the opening day of spring troutfishing, it serves as the unofficial gateway to the outdoor sportsseason.
For many, fishing is at the top of the spring to-do list.Competitive anglers have plenty of opportunities to exhibit theirprowess and, possibly, earn a little extra spending money.
There are plenty of derbies and contests in the Finger Lakesregion in the spring and early summer - information on many ofthose events is usually posted on local bulletin boards.
Here are the more notable tournaments in the coming weeks:
Naples Creek
Rainbow Trout Derby
Yes, April 1 means trout fishing … and the 47th installment ofthe Naples Trout Derby, a neat contest geared for the entirefamily.
Pre-registration is required at Sutton's Sporting Goods on MainStreet or Derby headquarters in the Naples Fire Hall. Sign up from5-11 p.m. March 31 or from 3-6 a.m. the day of the derby.
I fished this one last year and had a fantastic time interactingwith local folks who promote the event. It's worth the trip togrape town.
All proceeds go to the Naples Rotary Club's community-serviceprojects. Call Joyce Doran at (585) 374-2782 to get moreinformation.
LOC Spring Derby
The granddaddy of spring fishing derbies, which starts May 2 andconcludes May 11, helps kick off the Lake Ontario fishingseason.
The Lake Ontario Counties Spring Trout and Salmon Derby, run byEmpire State Lake Ontario Promotions, will offer more than $30,000in cash prizes, including a $12,500 check for the largest fishcaught overall in the 10-day event, and another $10,000-plus inmerchandise. In addition, on the tournament's first nine days, a$100 cash prize is awarded each day to the biggest catch in eachspecies.
Of course, all the fish must be caught from Lake Ontario.
“After several excellent years of spring fishing along the lake,we're excited by what the prospects are for 2008,” ESLO Promotionspresident Dave Chilson said.
The Derby has weigh-in stations all along the lake, from theNiagara River to Henderson Harbor. For complete information seewww.loc.org.
National
Lake Trout Derby
This longest-running derby of its kind in the United States isset for May 24-26.
This year's 44th annual contest will pay out $20,925 in cash,topped by the $5,000 grand prize. The payouts are based on 1,200entries. The derby includes landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, browntrout and Seneca Lake's famous lake trout.
Colin “Mr. Derby” Morehouse said entries for the Memorial Dayweekend contest are ahead of last year.
He has dropped off applications at the following businesses nearSeneca Lake: Seneca Marine Bait and Tackle, 501 E. Fourth St.,Watkins Glen; Roy's Marina, state Route 14, Geneva; KendaiaCampground, state Route 96, Romulus; Cass TV and Video, 104 CastleSt., Geneva; Brewer's Sporting Goods, 7192 Main St., Ovid; and theShowboat Motel and Restaurant, Plum Point Road, Himrod.
Weigh stations will be located in Geneva and Watkins Glen and atSampson State Park. The awards ceremony starts at 3 p.m. May26.
For more information, visit www.laketroutderby.org.
Oneida Lake
Basseye Challenge
The Central New York chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundationhas scheduled its inaugural Oneida Lake BassEye Challenge for June25-26. Money raised will be used for medical research, educationalprograms and support of the foundation's care-center network.
The event kicks off with a Captain's Reception at Lake ShoreGolf and Yacht Club in Cicero from 5:30-9 p.m. June 25. Dinner andsilent and live auctions top the evening's agenda. Teams entered inthe tournament will meet their guides during the reception.
Teams will depart Oneida Shores Country Park at 6:30 a.m. June26 for a day of trying to catch bass or walleye. Veteran fishermanfrom throughout the Oneida Lake area and elsewhere have volunteeredtheir boats and time to take the teams out to find their “secret”fishing spots.
Call the CNY chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation office at463-7965 or 1-800-962-6578 for information about buying tickets tothe Captain's Reception and the tournament.
American Bass
Anglers Tournament
New York West Division
Details for this June 28 tournament, which will launch at theKeuka Lake State Park ramp, are being finalized, Yates CountyChamber of Commerce president Mike Linehan said.
The priority entry deadline is June 11, while the final entrydeadline is June 18.
Some of the facts are available on the American Bass Anglers Website at www.abaproam.com/bws_eventinfo08.php?id=52.
Finger Lakes
Red Cross Tournament
This tournament is scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m. July 12.Scales close at 4 p.m. July 13. Weigh-in stations - the locationswill be announced at a later date - will be open from 8 a.m. until7 p.m. July 12 and 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. July 13.
Seneca, Cayuga, Keuka, Waneta, Cayuta (Little) and Lamoka lakesand the Chemung River are the bodies of water being used for thetournament.
The entry fee is $25 a person. A nonrefundable $5 will qualifyanglers for the Corning Credit Union $1,000 lunker prize.
Information on the event will be added weekly at www.redcrosselmira.org/fishing.Interested anglers can visit that Web site or contact Mindy atmindy@redcrosselmira.org or734-3317 ext. 121.
Chris Kenyon's “Outdoors” column appears weekly in the FingerLakes Sunday Times. To reach him, e-mail ckenyon@rochester.rr.com orcall 594-1952.
Outdoor Calendar
Antique Fishing and Hunting Flea Market
When: March 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: St. Mary's Center, 320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton, Pa.
Admission: $4 (children 12 and younger accompanied by an adultget in free)
Information: Bob Kester at (570) 587-0214, John Mecca at (570)342-6990, www.janbfishhuntshow.com.
Hunter Safety Gun Training Course
When: April 4, 6-10 p.m.; April 5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Shortsville Rod and Gun Club, Freshour Road.
Cost: None.
Requirements: Attendance at both sessions and pre-registration.Pre-register at the club from 6:30-8 p.m. March 26 or April 2.Students must be at least 11 years old.
Information: (585) 289-8229.
Hunter Safety Course
When: April 11, 6-9 p.m.; April 12, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Izaak Walton League, Guyanoga Road, Branchport.
Instructors: Bill Button, Charles Britton and LeighWilliams.
Requirements: Attendance at both sessions andpre-registration.
Information: Steve Castner at 729-0166 or 536-3036, Bill Buttonat (585) 554-6868.
Whispering Pines Chukar Challenge
When: April 26, 10 a.m. start (April 25 and 27 are hardshipdates).
Where: Whispering Pines Hideaway, 548 Townline Road, Lyons.
Highlights: The tournament-style hunting event will includeflushing- and pointing-dog divisions. Trophies will be awarded tothe top three finishers in both divisions. Cash will be given toeach division's top finisher, provided there at least 10 entrantsin each division. The event will be timed and scored on apre-defined field with five chukar partridges released per run.
Entry fee: $60 per run.
Information: 946-6170 or all4thebirds@bluefrog.com.
Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs Banquet
When: April 17, 6 p.m. co*cktail hour, 7 p.m. prime-ribdinner.
Where: South Seneca Sportsmen's Club, 6894 Yarnell RoadOvid.
Highlights: Barge Canal Bassmasters Club founder Jack Lowerywill be honored. Gun and other raffles and a Chinese auction areplanned.
Information: Barb Wells at 585-6617.
