LPOIC Thanksgiving Derby nears
Jenny Howerton hauled in this 25-pound rainbow on Lake Pend Oreille earlier this month.
(Photo courtesy LAKE PEND OREILLE IDAHO CLUB)
SANDPOINT — The Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club is adapting to the challenges presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic in order to keep the tradition of the annual Thanksgiving fishing derby alive and well.
The club moved its pin auction online and scrapped its awards ceremony due to the virus. It is also encouraging social distancing and for anglers to fish with close family members.
The club presented its modifications to the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, which approved of them.
"They gave us the green light," said LPOIC Treasurer Will Crook.
The derby begins on Saturday and runs through Wednesday. The contest will pause for the Thanksgiving holiday and resume on Nov. 27 and continue through Sunday, Nov. 29. Up for grabs is more than $10,000 in cash and prizes, not mention bragging rights.
The club is continuing its efforts to preserve and enhance Lake Pend Oreille's coveted rainbow trout population by requiring a 32-inch minimum length in the adult standings. There is a 28-inch minimum length in the junior division.
"The point of this is to preserve these big fish," said Crook,
LPOIC also implemented a catch-and-release bonus of $500 for rainbows which place in the adult standings.
Crook said the club has found success with net bags that are easier on rainbows. They can be placed in live wells or coolers modified with aerators. The net bags were utilized during a members' derby in September, a time when rainbows are pulled from the chilly depths and exposed to elevated ambient air temperatures, which can be hard on them.
However, only one of the entries perished during the weigh-in process.
"Seven of eight survived," said Crook.
The club is also continuing to court youthful anglers by waiving entry fees in the Youth A and B divisions, although they still have to pre-register. The derby's junior division for anglers between the ages of 14-17.
Skippers who bring aboard youthful anglers who catch fish which place stand to win a $50 bonus.
"We want people to think about bringing their kids along," Crook said.
The Bonner County Recreation & Waterways Department is reminding boaters that the boat launch in Hope is closed until Dec. 15 so repairs can be made. The county is directing boaters to boat ramps at Garfield Bay in Sagle or Pringle Park in Hope.
For more information on the Thanksgiving derby, visit lpoic.org
Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee