Well it's here...a week many of us wait for all year...DERBY WEEK! Excitment is building, work schedules have been adjusted, sleeping/launching/docking arrangements have been made. Menus have been set and boat crews assigned. Our group has 5 boats going out from our rental with close to 20 crew. Boats are prepped and all tackle is checked and double checked. Bait/lure inventories have been double checked and we are a go for lift off.
Last year with 1/2 that number we boated 144 salmon on Derby weekend (the entire group) and 8 board qualifiers. While we would love to improve that number, you really can't ask for more. We have 2 youth participants who are really looking to compete this year (one was top 3 last year) and that is really what this is about for many of us (getting the kids out there).
I expect to get a hand held VHF to borrow so I will be listening in...how about some "handles" of those who will be on the radio? I will be in a gray with red striped Lund Classic and responding to "Spongeworthy" (thanks to a Sienfeld-loving friend who deemed my craft to be "Spongeworthy").
Is anyone electing not to participate due to the health of the fishery as we had last year?
This season started off really well with outrageous numbers of fish boated and many 3-4 year old fish in excess of 20". In the past few weeks the numbers have dwindled significantly and the sizes have dropped also. I'm sure the very windy weather and rapid heating of the lake contributed. My guess is that with higher water temps and flat calm and sunny weather coming in...we will have yet more challenges to overcome by Friday.
So lets hear it...whos going to be on the water...who's holding out?
