Blue ice shanties wavered and fishing lines fluttered as sharp winds screamed across Little Sodus Bay and Owasco Lake. The ice fishermen, women and children dressed in tan and camouflage Carhartt overalls didn't even blink an eye - this is what it's all about: braving the elements, catching fish and having fun.

Close to 600 battled 19-degree temperatures and 20 mph wind gusts Saturday to participate in Cayuga County's two major ice fishing derbies: the 12th Annual Screwy Louie's Sport Shop Ice Fishing Derby and the first Bass Pro Shops Owasco Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

Brendan Shambo, Screwy Louie's owner and organizer, said 143 anglers made the trip to Fair Haven from places as far away as New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania to take part in the Presidents' Day weekend tradition.

"A lot of people in New York state don't even know where Fair Haven is," Shambo said. "But fishermen all over the Northeast know what's here."

On Little Sodus Bay, ice shanties dotted the entire length of the ice running out to Lake Ontario. White caps could be seen on the unfrozen lake as wind swept over the scene, sending the smell of grilling hamburgers, bratwurst and venison into the air.

Louis "Screwy Louie" Parreault, who sold the shop to Shambo in 2001, said he started the event for children and families.

"It just got bigger and bigger each year," he said.

Kristin Johnson and Bill Bonoffski of Oswego were fishing on the ice and didn't learn of the derby until later in the day. The couple said they would've entered the contest had they known about it, and Johnson might have won.

"Is this a big one?" she asked Bonoffski as she held up a foot-sized yellow perch with both hands.

"It's the biggest one I've ever seen in my life," Bonoffski said.

Across the bay, in a small, ice-covered pond, Joe Bennett and Dave Kehoski of Auburn and Keith Dudley of Oswego drank Keystones and Coors Lights as they waited for their 10 tip-ups to signal they had a fish.

"We haven't caught many fish, but Joe's ice shanty got a new window today," said Kehoski, pointing to a hole in the blue shanty.

A strong wind threw the shanty on top of a circular grill, creating a perfect little window. The friends were taking part in a third derby, the Sterling Creek Campgrounds Derby.

Across the parking lot, Mike Kersey and Joe and Robert Rosa were posing for a photo opportunity after just walking off the ice. The trio traveled from northern New Jersey for the derby, and although they didn't have much luck with the fishing, all had an enjoyable time.

Joe comes up to see the environment and "breathe some clean air. What's better than that?"

At Bass Pro's event, more than double the amount of people turned out for the first derby. Bass Pro general manager Greg Martin said "this has been the most successful event the store has ever put on."

More than 400 ice fishermen spent the day drilling holes on Owasco Lake and waiting for fish to bite. Tom Barber, 33, of Port Byron, was out on the lake by 6 a.m. He and his seven friends grilled venison steaks for a snack. The 11.6-pound lake trout he reeled in was worth $336. He's been ice fishing for about 20 years, and said he enjoys "the camaraderie of the whole thing. Being outside and enjoying yourself with friends, you can't beat that. And the thrill of the catch."

The big winner of the day was Joseph Loparco, 59, of Maine, Broome County. He's been ice fishing since 1968 and prefers being out in the winter weather.

"I like wearing all these clothes," he said.

On Saturday, he pulled in a 12.99-pound northern pike with a 33-cent minnow. His rewards: $1,436 and a free mount, worth about $400.

"Wait 'til I tell them at the bait shop how much that one minnow was worth," he said

Staff writer Benning W. De La Mater can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or ben.delamater@lee.net

The winners

From Screwy Louie's Sport Shop 12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby:

Adult Northern Pike

First - Jeff Dufault, Wolcott, 8.7 pounds

Second - Darrell Roach, Weedsport, 7.5 pounds

Third - Scott Apfel, Oswego, 6.8 pounds

Adult Perch

First - Dave Dashman, Fulton, 1.63 pounds

Second - Bill Fisher, Red Creek, 1.15 pounds

Third - Gary Gavurnick, Auburn, 1.13 pounds

Youth Perch

First - Nathan Hackett, Fulton, .81 pounds

Second - Michael Brown, Oswego, .71 pounds

Third - John Weigelt, Unknown, .62 pounds

Youth Northern Pike

First - Alex Nipper, Fulton, 8.9 pounds

Second - Brandon Burns, Savannah, 4.4 pounds

Third - Misty Snyder, Marietta, 3.1 pounds

From Bass Pro Shops Owasco Lake Ice Derby

Adult Walleye

First - Ron Montross, 5.71 pounds

Adult Trout

First - Tom Barber, 11.64 pounds

Second - Dave Raichlin, 9.22 pounds

Third - Rick Carley, 8.43 pounds

Adult Northern Pike

First - Joe Loparco, 12.99 pounds

Second - James Dennis, 12.00 pounds

Third - Mark Davis, 11.52 pounds

Adult Perch

First - Dan Jackson, 1.52 pounds

Second - George Spinelli, 1.44 pounds

Third - Dan Turner, 1.34 pounds

Youth Gamefish

First - Corey Bunnell, 7.0 pounds

Second - James Courtney, Jr., 6.75 pounds

Third - Dylan Knapp, 5.68 pounds

Youth Panfish

First - Dan Jackson, Jr., .99 pounds

Second - Brittanie Jackson, .88 pounds

Third - Dan Richards, .72 pounds

Adult Lunker Pool

Joe Loparco, 12.99 pounds (Pike)Youth Lunker Pool

Weston Martin, 4.7 pounds, (Pike)