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Grand County ice fishing contests 2008/09

KATIE LOOBYklooby@grandcountynews.comGrand County, Colorado

Three Lakes Fishing Contest: $50,000 in cash & prizesGrand Countys 21st Annual Three Lakes Fishing Contest will take place this year Friday through Sunday, Jan. 29- Feb. 1 with more than $50,000 offered in cash and prizes.The Greater Granby Area Chamber of Commerce under a special use permit from with the Arapaho National Forest and Sulphur Ranger District presents the largest ice-fishing contest west of Mississippi River. In each category, there are 10 places with $1,000 as the top prize. There are five places children can place in, in each age group. We have over 100 kids every year and sometimes its just dad out there with them and sometimes its the whole family, said Chamber Director Sharon Brenner. A lot of time they dont care if they catch the fish or not.The contests raffle drawing grand prize is a pickup; second place is a snowmobile and an ATV is the third place prize. The drawing for the raffle contest is at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Granby Community Center. Participants win cash by catching the biggest fish in the mackinaw trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and Grand Slam categories. To be a Grand Slam winner, contestants must catch one qualifying fish in the mackinaw trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and Kokanee salmon categories.First place winners will be awarded $1,000 while second place gets $500 and third place, $250. Fourth through 10th place finishers will receive prizes ranging from $175 to $50. Winners of the big fish contest must be present when the winners are announced, or the prizes will go to the next biggest fish in this category.Kids can also participate in the Youth Division of the Three Lakes Fishing Contest. The young anglers are divided into four age groups: ages five and under, ages 6-9, ages 10-14, and ages 15-17. They will compete for gift cash prizes and gift certificates from local businesses. Fish must be caught during the three days of the competition and taken from the waters of Lake Granby, Granby Pump Canal, Shadow Mountain Lake, Grand Lake and up to 500 hundred yards of downstream of the Shadow Mountain Dam on the Colorado River. People come from all over the state and surrounding states to participate in the event that attracts an average of about 1,500 people. We encourage them all to go to the local restaurants and lodging and spend a little money while there up here, Brenner said.Those fishing in the Arapaho National Recreation Area (primarily the Lake Granby and Shadow Mountain Lake areas) must purchase a ANRA pass. These passes can be obtained at the Sulphur Ranger District office in Granby, the Arapaho and Green Ridge fee entry stations, the self-service pay station at Stillwater or from local vendors. A current Colorado fishing license must be shown for all contestants ages 16 and over. Contest entry forms are required from all participants. Colorado Fishing rules and regulations apply to the contest, including bag and possession limits from adults and children. Participants should dress for the weather, wear layers of clothing, and bring their fishing equipment. People can walk or get on the lake by a snowmobile. The tournament starts half an hour before dawn and ends a half an hour after dusk Friday and Saturday, on Sunday it begins a half an hour before dawn and concludes noon on Sunday. The fishers vary from, the beginner whos never fished before all the way up to the semi-pro, Brenner said.Entry fee for the three days of the annual contest is $35. Children ages 17 and under are free. For more information, call the Greater Granby Area Chamber of Commerce at (970) 887-2311; Budget Tackle at (970) 887-9344; or Beacon Landing at (970) 627-3671.

The Kremmling Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 12th Annual Wolford Mountain Reservoir Ice Fishing Tournament Feb. 14.Its a really fun day on the ice, said Kacey Beres, Chamber event director.One lucky fisher could catch the $12,000 tagged fish. Competitors will also compete for $5,000 in cash. Participants who come in the top 10 places for largest fish will receive cash prizes. Hourly big fish prizes will also be up for grabs.Since the event is on Valentines Day, the Chamber is encouraging participants to bring their spouses and go out eat or get a massage at the towns businesses.The event is growing, last year the competition attracted more than 600 fishers, an increase of 100 from the previous year. The Chamber encourages more children and women to come out on the ice. Wolford Mountain Reservoir is located six miles North of Kremmling on US 40. People can drive an ATV or snowmobile on the reservoir. A concession stand will also be available.No one will be allowed on the ice before 6 a.m., and hole drilling will start at 7 a.m. A flare gunshot will fire to kickoff the event. Fishing is open until 3 p.m.Only live fish will be measured, and placing for prizes is based on length and girth of game fish caught by registered competitors during the hours of the contest. Types of fish include rainbow trout, brown trout, splake trout, cutbow trout, and kokanee salmon. If anyone catches a northern pike, a predatory fish that eats other fish from the lake, the Division of Wildlife will want to confiscate the bones. Prizes will be given out at 4:30 p.m. on the back stage of the Visitor Center in the Kremmling Town Square the day of the contest. All Colorado Fishing rules will apply. Fish licenses and entry forms will be checked before distributing prize money. Registration costs $35, and children are free. They will receive goodie bags when they bring in a fish to get measured. However, children may enter as an adult by paying the registration fee and eligible to win adult and cash prizes. Children also will receive bate pucks with a golden ticket or lure inside to win a surprise, Beres said. Fishin Hole owners, Dan and Deb Murphy, will provide 10 trophies for the children who come in the top 10 places, as well as door prizes for adults. When Fishin Hole sponsored the Wolford Open Water Fishing Contest the children enjoyed receiving the trophies they were rewarded, so they are doing it again for this tournament, Dan Murphy said.The store will also distribute eight hourly prizes from the store, but the trophies will be the main prizes, he added.The ice fishing tournament brings much needed revenue into Kremmling at a time when business is slow its just a great time for everybody, Murphy said. Event sponsors include: Fishin Hole, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Water Conservation District, and Kremmling Area Chamber of Commerce. A credit card registration form is available at http://www.active.com; or to print a registration visit http://www.kremmlingchamber.com/events. Registration may also be done the day of the contest at the Fishin Hole in Kremmling or at the Judging Tent on Wolford Mountain Reservoir, beginning at 6 a.m. Volunteers are also needed for any aspect of the event, and should contact the Chamber at (970) 724-3472 for more information.


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