Fishing derby poised for another record year - Day one gallery

ST. JOHN VALLEY - The weather is ideal for the 7th annual Long Lake Ice-Fishing Derby this weekend as people turn out in droves to spend the day on the lake in ice-cabins, snowmobiles, and even pick-up trucks.

FIRST CATCH - Early Saturday anglers caught these two salmon just a few hundred feet from the weigh station at the Long Lake Sporting Club. - Pettengill Jerkins image

After a storm dumped about ten inches of fresh powder on the region Friday, organizer Paul Bernier was concerned that people would stay away from the derby because the snow might make it more difficult to drive out onto the lake. As it turns out, his concerns were unfounded.

"I just got the best news of my life," he said when he found out that by noon on Saturday, the first day of the derby, there were already 567 registrants, just 11 shy of the previous record.

Because people can continue to register for the derby through the day on Saturday and even on Sunday morning, Bernier thinks it's quite possible to meet or exceed last year's record of 578.

"The weather is perfect," said Bernier.

Weather reports say that the weekend will be mostly sunny with temperatures in the high teens and low twenties and relatively little wind.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE - These cabins were just a few of many small villages found on the ice on Long Lake during the derby. - Pettengill Jerkins image

Some of the best news for ice-anglers was that the fish were biting early Saturday morning. People from all age categories were already bringing their catches to the weigh station at the Long Lake Sporting Club in Sinclair. The largest catch by 3 p.m. Saturday was a four pound and 8.2 ounce salmon.

The hub of activity during the derby is the Long Lake Sporting Club where Varney Insurance is paying for everyone to have chicken stew and ployes throughout the weekend. That alone might be worth the trip to check out what's happening with the derby. Organizers are also selling a slew of merchandise from hats and shirts with the derby logo, to fishing supplies, and souvenirs.

ALL SMILES - Fifth grader Kasie Blanchette shows off her 2 pound 9.2 ounce salmon caught on Long Lake. - Pettengill Jerkins image

NOTHING LIKE A DAY ON THE LAKE

CHECKING THE LINES - The Berce family of St. Agatha and friends visiting from Owl's Head check their traps during the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby Saturday afternoon. Their big catch of the day at the time of this photo was an eight inch yellow perch. - Pettengill Jerkins image