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Northern Chautauqua Con Club Walleye Derby begins today

Sportsman’s Journal

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek Stephanie Franklin displays the 2019 Con Club Walleye Derby T-shirt.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club is proud to announce the start of their 15th annual Walleye Derby today. Back in 2004, a couple of club members came up with the foundation for what has become one of the most popular and affordable walleye derbies.

There are three other events that feature a Big Fish Friday along with a one day main event. The Con Club event is unique because it is a three day event. The now defunct Amara-Can used to feature a two day event, on Saturday and Sunday. Many of the former contestants will testify how quickly events can change in a day. Leaders on day one can have trouble finding big fish the next day and watch as the winner’s circle disappears. A three-day event can be a real proving ground for some contestants. There are 110 teams (boats) entered this year, with a waiting list. The entry fee was raised slightly to $250. The derby starts at 6 a.m. sharp on Friday, Aug. 2 and ends 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4.

Anglers can start from the port of their choosing, with Dunkirk, Barcelona, Sturgeon Point and the Cat offering free or reduced launching fees. Any team that weighs in fish on Friday cannot go back out fishing until 12 a.m. (midnight) on Saturday and Sunday. Each team can have a maximum of four anglers. The minimum is two persons per team. No more than four members on board the team boat while derby fishing. No more than nine lines in the water. Only team members listed on the entry form may be on board while fishing. The team captain must be at least 18 years of age. Anglers are not allowed to catch and save fish for the next day (banking). They cannot share fish with other boats. No fishing in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Canadian waters. The five heaviest walleye entered should expect to be subject to a polygraph test (lie detector). Failure to comply will result in disqualification. The payback for this event will be 80%.

The weigh station for this event is located at the Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club located at the foot of Mullet Street. Take Route 5, go west past the city of Dunkirk Pier, and turn towards the lake at the Country Fair store. Weigh-ins are from 4-6 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. sharp on Sunday. Teams are allowed to weigh a maximum of three walleye per day. All the walleyes weighed in will be scanned, examined and possibly probed by weigh station officials. The gill plate will then be cut with an identification mark. Coolers containing fish must have bagged or block ice. No loose ice or water baths. Frozen walleye are not allowed.

Here is how the anglers can win money: There are three cash prizes for the heaviest walleye entered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are three of fifteen cash prizes for the heaviest walleye of the derby. One of five cash prizes for the heaviest three day total weight. Ideally the derby prizes will be awarded to Team Captains on Sunday at the Con Club, starting at 3 p.m. or as soon as possible thereafter.

This contest is designed to be a fun event for honest sportsmen. Standard rules apply like fishing licenses, creel and size limits etc. Safety is the responsibility of each team. The Con Club does not make any go/no-go rulings on whether or not to fish, because of the weather. The three day forecast is calling for sunny skies, but no report on the wind so far. That could give an edge to the owners of smaller sized water craft. Anglers still remember when one angler won the event with a 16 foot aluminum boat.

The public is invited to attend the weigh-in daily. There will be hot dogs, burgers and refreshments available, along with commemorative T-shirts and other gear. Arrangements have been made to collect donated fish and for the anglers convenience the City of Dunkirk fish cleaning station will be open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Come down, join the fun and cheer for your favorite team. Look for daily coverage in The OBSERVER.

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