by Theresa Taylor
The 16th Annual Raquette Lake Bass Derby will be held Saturday, July 25.
Contestants verify registration and team members have breakfast and a short meeting beginning at 5 a.m. at the Raquette Lake fire hall. They depart for the Raquette Lake Dock for live wells inspection and their timed start.
After eight hours of fishing contestants return to the village dock where a weigh station is set up.
Volunteers weigh in fish, measure hopeful lunkers, record the weights and subtract any penalty pounds for a late return or a fish that cannot swim away.
Fish Whisperers (junior volunteers) assist the bass in a gentle return to the waters of Raquette Lake.
Volunteers also assist on the dock with making room for the next boat, taking pictures as well as selling 50/50 tickets and cooking hot dogs for the contestants.
The weigh-in is open to the public and well attended by all ages and, of course, family and friends of those fishing! Feel free to attend, bring your camera and a folding chair as weigh-in is generally a one-hour period. Cash prizes are awarded after the weights are verified and recorded. The 50/50 raffle drawing follows the recognition of winners.
The Raquette Lake Bass Derby is held thanks to the volunteers of Raquette Lake, The Raquette Lake Fish & Game Club, Raquette Lake Parks & Recreation Department and The Hamilton County Federation of Sportsmen Groups Inc.
This derby is limited to 50 boats and pre-registration fee of $110 is required.
For information on the 2016 derby, email: raquette58
@gmail.com.
