Northeast fisherman will flock to Fair Haven this weekend for the annual Screwy Louie's Ice Fishing Derby, which reaches the 15th anniversary of its inception.
The event, usually held on Presidents' Day weekend, starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, also Valentine's Day.
Participants can register at Screwy Louie's, where weighing in takes place between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Preregistration is required, though applicants will be allowed to sign in on Saturday morning.
Brendan Shambo, Screwy Louie's owner and the derby organizer, said anglers travel to Fair Haven from places all along the East Coast to take part in the Presidents' Day weekend tradition. Shambo took charge of the event seven years ago, but it was cancelled two of those years because of unfavorable ice conditions.
The temperature on Feb. 14 is expected to be about 28 degrees, with periods of snow.
Most anglers set up their own tents on Little Sodus Bay, Blind Sodus Bay and the state park pond in Fair Haven to speckle the stretch of ice toward Lake Ontario. The ice is firmly frozen, Shambo said, but contestants are responsible for their own personal safety. People often bring stoves and grill their lunch out on the ice.
The event usually draws between 100 and 170 fishermen, he said, including 20 or so children. There are three awards for the largest pike and three for the largest perch. The last derby (in 2007, due to a lack of ice in 2008) paid about $400 to the first place finisher, $200 to second place and $10 to third place. Cash awards are made at the end of the tourney; 90 percent of the money the derby takes in goes back out as prize money.
The biggest fish caught in the derby's past was a 15-pound northern pike, Shambo said.
Door prizes from a lottery based on registration numbers will be distributed during the awards ceremony at the end of the event. For the biggest fish caught of any kind, there is a lunker pool separate from the tournament.
Louis “Screwy Louie” Parreault, who sold his shop to Shambo in 2001, started the ice fishing event for children and families.
Kathleen Barran
253-5311 ext. 238
kathleen.barran@lee.net
If you go.
What: Screwy Louie's Ice Fishing Derby
When: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14; awards at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Screwy Louie's Sport Shop, 596 Main St., Fair Haven
Cost: $15 adults, $3 children
Info: Call 947-6348 or e-mail info@screwylouiessportshop.com
Participants can register at Screwy Louie's, where weighing in takes place between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Preregistration is required, though applicants will be allowed to sign in on Saturday morning.
Brendan Shambo, Screwy Louie's owner and the derby organizer, said anglers travel to Fair Haven from places all along the East Coast to take part in the Presidents' Day weekend tradition. Shambo took charge of the event seven years ago, but it was cancelled two of those years because of unfavorable ice conditions.
The temperature on Feb. 14 is expected to be about 28 degrees, with periods of snow.
Most anglers set up their own tents on Little Sodus Bay, Blind Sodus Bay and the state park pond in Fair Haven to speckle the stretch of ice toward Lake Ontario. The ice is firmly frozen, Shambo said, but contestants are responsible for their own personal safety. People often bring stoves and grill their lunch out on the ice.
The event usually draws between 100 and 170 fishermen, he said, including 20 or so children. There are three awards for the largest pike and three for the largest perch. The last derby (in 2007, due to a lack of ice in 2008) paid about $400 to the first place finisher, $200 to second place and $10 to third place. Cash awards are made at the end of the tourney; 90 percent of the money the derby takes in goes back out as prize money.
The biggest fish caught in the derby's past was a 15-pound northern pike, Shambo said.
Door prizes from a lottery based on registration numbers will be distributed during the awards ceremony at the end of the event. For the biggest fish caught of any kind, there is a lunker pool separate from the tournament.
Louis “Screwy Louie” Parreault, who sold his shop to Shambo in 2001, started the ice fishing event for children and families.
Kathleen Barran
253-5311 ext. 238
kathleen.barran@lee.net
If you go.
What: Screwy Louie's Ice Fishing Derby
When: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14; awards at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Screwy Louie's Sport Shop, 596 Main St., Fair Haven
Cost: $15 adults, $3 children
Info: Call 947-6348 or e-mail info@screwylouiessportshop.com
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