54th Blake Jones Trout Derby set for March 11 in Bishop
Event continues to be a tradition for residents, visitors alike
The 2023 Blake Jones Trout Derby is set for Saturday, March 11, in Bishop.
Since 1968, the event has been a favorite Eastern Sierra tradition. Last year, nearly 400 registered participants weighed in more than
500 fish. The largest was 5 pounds and most were in the 1-pound range. Lucky winners took home about $10,000 worth of prizes including float tubes, Yeti coolers, barbecues, rod-and-reel combos and tons of other great gear provided by the event’s ever-generous co-sponsors.
This year is shaping up to be another great one, according to the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce. The derby is popular with visitors as well as locals.
“We want to make sure that it’s sustainable so upcoming generations can enjoy the fishing fun,” Bishop Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tawni Thomson said. “We’ve added a category for catch and release and a special raffle prize for those who pick up trash while they are out fishing. And, we always purchase and plant far more fish than are usually caught at the derby.”
The Blake Jones Derby is a blind bogey format with categories for adults and youth of all ages. In addition to the blind bogey awards, there will be prizes for early bird registrations, farthest travel, biggest fish, even prizes for those who don’t catch any fish or choose to catch and release.
Registration, weigh-in, and awards ceremony will be at the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds in downtown Bishop.
Fishing locations include Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Owens River. California Department of Fish and Wildlife plants rainbow trout year-round in these locations and the Bishop Chamber will arrange for supplemental stocking of fish purchased from Wright’s Rainbows prior to the derby.
“We want to make sure there are plenty of fish for everyone,” said April Leeson, event coordinator at the Bishop Chamber of Commerce.
“The derby is a real family-friendly fishing event,” Leeson added. “In addition to the fishing contest, we’ll have information booths, educational displays, kids’ casting games, music, activities, food and beverage vendors and more.”
Registration for the derby is now open. Sign up online at www.bishopvisitor.com or drop by the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, 690 North Main Street.
The Blake Jones Trout Derby is co-sponsored by Inyo County and the city of Bishop, plus many other generous sponsors. For more information, contact the Bishop Chamber at (760) 8738405.