Fishing: New year brings new derby

Hello fellow anglers.

I hope everyone is ready for the new year.

This year, the Topaz Lodge is starting the year out with a whole new derby.

How would you like to get $600 for catching fish plus $1000 in cash prizes?

Here is an outline of what to expect this year: First of all the lake was planted with 3- to 4-pound Rainbow trout from Jim O'Banion, as well as California Fish and Game.

Each tagged fish wil automatically be worth $100 cash plus varying free slot play and derby entries into a drawing at the end of the derby.

Catch a second tagged fish and receive $200 total cash. Catch a third tagged fish and receive $300 total cash.

Thats $600 for catching three fish. That pays for worms and gas right there.

The same person must catch and present all tagged fish to the general store for verification. There will be two weekly winners determined by weight.

To be eligible, the trout must weigh a minimum of two pounds.

Weigh in will be at the general store from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, each week will run from 12 a.m. Monday and end on Sunday at midnight.

First place will receive $50 and second will receive $25 as well as derby entries. This derby will run from Jan. 1 to April 11.

On Aprill 11 at 6 p.m. there will be a drawing for all the entry tickets, which will be worth $1,000 in cash prizes plus fishing gear (must be present to win)

Not a bad way to start off the new year, huh? For more information stop by the Topaz General store or Call (800) 962-0732.

In talking with Chuck Fields from the Topaz Marina, the launch ramp will be open and has at least 10 feet of water for opening day. For infomation on mooring or boat rentals call the marina at 266-3550.

For those of you that would rather go ice fishing, Caples Lake as reported by Kelly from the resort is as follows: Many anglers have been out catching pan-sized rainbows with an ocasional brown. The ice was 12 to 18 inches thick and the snow has blown off of the lake. Most were fishing at the dam or the spillway areas. There are some rocks out in front of the Lodge. Red Lake last week had 8 to 12 inches of ice and many anglers were catching brook trout.

A word of caution on any frozen lake this time of year. Many of the lakes in our area are subject to draw down which causes some instability. Never go out alone and always tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Just because someone writes that there is a lot of ice on a lake does not make it safe.

I will be out taking pictures at Topaz Lake opening day as well as Caples lake and Red Lake over the weekend.

Good luck on your next outing. If you have a photo of your catch you can send it to jcrandall@recordcourier.com or drop it off at The Record-Courier. If you have any questions in our local fishing world you can call the Naw line at 267-9722. Good fishin' and tight lines.

Doug Busey is The Record-Courier fishing columnist.