Wooly Willy Wonderdaze to Host Fishing Derby

Smethport Web — by Wayne Foltz

The 2012 National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze festival in Smethport, Pennsylvania will include a Fishing Derby at Hamlin Lake Park on June 16th.

The First Place winner will receive a $25 cash prize, plus fishing supplies. Those finishing in 2nd and 3rd place will receive fishing supplies.

Registration will be from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the Washington St. entrance by the foot bridge going over the lake. Fishing hours for the event will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Here are all the rules for the Fishing Derby…

  • Trout only – Legal size
  • Largest fish will win the Grand prize for each age grouping. How the largest is determined. Example; 10.25 inches X 1.2 lbs. = a score of 12.3
  • Participants must be registered for prize eligibility before they fish.
  • Participants will follow all Local, State, and/or Federal Laws or the individual will be disqualified and law enforcement contacted.
  • Fish will be live released unless the angler wishes to keep the fish for consumption and follows all applicable laws.
  • No Boats, Canoes, Kayaks, etc. to participate in the event – Bank fishing only
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • 0 to 15 years for youth prize group, 16 years and up for the adult prize group
  • Adults can cast for young children but the rest of the fishing must be done by the child for prize eligibility
  • Boundaries will be marked out for the designated fishing areas, only fish caught within the marked areas will count.
  • Participants will be disqualified if the fish presented to the judges are from a stream or undesignated area, or are not “fresh” looking
  • Judge(s) will weigh and measure all fish.
  • Additional rules and regulations may apply for the day of the event

The day will be filled with fun events at the Lake and in town. See you there!