Elkland SAR hosting trout derby this weekend
ST. MARYS - For nearly 30 years the Elkland Search and Rescue Trout Derby has drawn large numbers of fishermen and women to its annual event which is taking place May 4 and 5 in Glen Hazel.
Participants will cast their lines along the East Branch of the Clarion River from the Glen Hazel bridge to Bendigo State Park this weekend. Registration is on a rolling basis as participants can register online at www.elklandsar.com or onsite at the check-in station, located at T&J Storage in Glen Hazel, on Friday, May 3 from 3-8 p.m. or Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 beginning at 6 a.m. The entry fee is non-refundable.
Official derby buttons can also be picked up at the check-in station and must be visible at all times. Food and refreshments will also be available throughout the duration of the derby.
Fishing begins at 7 a.m. on both days and concludes at 7 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Participants have until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday to bring any tagged fish to the checkin station. Each tagged fish has a dollar amount associated with it which is the prize amount.
Elkland aims to promote conservation therefore encourages the catch and release of all fish.
The event typically draws in 300 participants, according to Lynn Herzing, who has been organizing the derby along with her husband Mike for the past 24 years. Herzing said the number of participants was higher in the past however more and more fishing derbies are now taking place.
“The biggest trout on record for the event is maybe one that was 18 1/4 inches,” Herzing said.
Incorporated into the derby is a biggest trout contest along with a kids version. Participants catching the longest 2024 tagged trout will receive 50% of funds collected for the contest. If there is a tie proceeds will be evenly divided among winners. There is a small cost to participate in contest.
All registered children age 12 and under are eligible for the kids biggest trout contest at no cost. Those catching the three longest trout, tagged or untagged, will receive $50 for first place, $30 for second place and $20 for third place.
Proceeds from the event are used to help pay the insurance costs for all of Elkland’s various vehicles and personnel.
On Friday afternoon 400 fish will be stocked along the derby waterway. Only a portion of them will be tagged. Herzing said once a fish is turned in, its tag will be replaced with a new prize tag. Any business, individual or organization can sponsor a fish for $25 or more.
The fish are purchased from Cedar Spring Trout Hatchery in Mill Hall. A group helps to float stock by walking a net filled with fish down the river and periodically releasing them along the way.
ST. MARYS - Nearly 160 women attended the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce Ladies Night Out on Friday evening, making it the largest turnout for the event.
“Our third annual
Ladies Night Out was a fantastic success,” noted Rachel Lampe, Chamber of Commerce coordinator.
Maker’s Warehouse in downtown St. Marys was the site of the lively gathering where 86 raffle prizes were awarded, including designer purses, jewelry, and a wide variety of high-value gift baskets and other items.
Lampe highlighted the size of the venue allowed the Chamber to expand the event both in terms of tickets sold and the vendors included. Guests at the event