NYS Crappie Derby January 31, 2004.

[davetclown]

[#ff0000][font "Arial"][size 5]The 28[#ff0000][size 5]th Running of the
Almost-Annual NYS Crappie Derby [/size][/#ff0000]will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2004.[/size][/font][/#ff0000][size 1] [/size][font "Arial"][#990033]

[/#990033][/font][font "Arial Rounded MT Bold"][#990033][size 4]Sponsored by the Whitney Point Sportsmens Association, Broome County Department of Parks & Recreation and local prize sponsors.[/size][/#990033][/font][size 1] [/size][#ff0000]
[/#ff0000][size 1]We're starting to crank up our organization to lay plans in place for the 2004
issue of our event.
Our goal is to bring you the same good time on the ice with, hopefully, some new additions.
Our website will be brought up to date over the next several days to improve your browsing experience.
* We intent to minimize the content of this page.
* A page will be added to detail the [/size][url "http://www.crappiederby.com/history.htm"][#0000ff][size 1]history[/size][/#0000ff][/url][size 1] of our event,
* another page will provide information on the "fishery" including fish information provided by the NYS DEC,
* another page will provide information on the lake itself, etc. . . .
stay tuned. . . [/size] [left]WPSA Events: Month of December - A gun per day - 30 guns (or cash). $20/chance (1000 tickets). Winning ticket number based on 3 digit daily lottery number. Guns range from $100 to $850. Call Walter Baxter 648-9318 or stop in at the Sportsmens Den in Whitney Point, NY.

[#ff0000][size 4]See [url "http://www.crappiederby.com/currentconditions.htm"][#0000ff]CURRENT CONDITIONS[/#0000ff][/url] page for other new stuff....[/size][/#ff0000][/left] [center][#000080][size 4]Bring your Radio[/size][/#000080][size 3]
[/size]The low-power FM Radio Transmitter we introduced last year (Complements of Contemporary Video (Bob Huckabone) wasn't perfect but it did work.
. . . hey, it was our first try. It operated on 95.5 on the FM Dial.
This helped some of the people who are out of range of the PA System. [/center] [left]
[#ff0000][size 4]Registration
Derby Day registration will start at 5:30 AM at the Pancake Breakfast and at 7:00 AM on the lake.
We do not intend to try On-Line Registration in 2004. It proved to be unwieldy and didn't provide a good service for derby participants or the organizers.
We will be looking at expanding our pre-derby area registration and will be looking at streamlining the on-ice process.

Ice Central[/size][/#ff0000]
We receive many positive comments regarding the "midway" on this ice. It is particularly popular with the spectators. This year we are looking at:
1. Our concession stand. A number of improvements are planned here.
2. The National Weather Service had a display at the derby that showed instantaneous Temperature, Wind Direction, Wind Speed and Wind Chill.
That was very interesting to many of those attending. We hope to include this in 2004.
3. The U.S. Navy Recruiting organization was in attendance with an informational booth with some "hand-outs". We hope to welcome then again this year.
4. The Whitney Point Ambulance Squad attended the event both to provide assistance should it be required and to provide information on how they
serve the community.
+ some additional organizations are considering being involved.
[/left] [left]Past derbys have had over 2500 participants (as many as 8,000 including spectators) from all over New York State and much of the Northeast. It has been a very popular event due to its fun and family oriented format. This will be the 31st year since the start of this event and there have been five cancellations. No too bad of a record.[/left] [left]Significant effort is put into assuring safe condition. The Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation will be monitoring ice conditions as soon as ice starts forming. We will keep you advised of ice conditions at Whitney Point Lake and other areas as information becomes available. We welcome Emails and will be glad to post those that we feel has value to "hard water anglers". Any recommendations regarding this website are also encouraged.[/left]

The main base of the derby is Dorchester Park, on the East shore of the lake. The lake is approximately 3/4 by 3 1/2 Miles. The Broome County Parks Department provides plentiful parking and many other amenities to make it a fun-filled day. The remaining [url "http://www.crappiederby.com/sponsors.htm"][#0000ff]sponsors[/#0000ff][/url] are the local merchants who provide the prizes for this event. [left]Prize Categories:
28 - Biggest Crappie (Length) per "Special". (15 Minute period - 9:00 - 3:00 PM)
3 - Biggest Crappie of the day - 1st, 2nd & 3rd
6 - Biggest of numerous fish special (over the entire day)
? - Door Prizes - any Registered Participate is eligible - No need to catch a fish
Many - Kids prizes throughout the day.
The derby has been known as the "party derby" for many years due to its' unique format. The Crappie Derby awards [#990033]prizes every 15 minutes[/#990033] for the largest (longest) [#ff0000][size 4]WHITE[/size][/#ff0000] crappie caught during each 15 minutes during the derby hours. This format has caught on and is now used by many other derbies. This format makes for a carnival environment all day. The judging booth is located in the middle of the ice with a powerful PA system which is constantly announcing the status of the current leaders of each "derby". Along with the judges booth is a concession stand providing a steady stream of chili, chowder, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc all day. Rent-a-johns, positioned over the ice help to make this a comfortable place to be during the long winters day. In addition to the anglers, many visitors show up to observe the goings-on of the day. The event has drawn up to 8,000 people to the ice of Whitney Point Lake.[/left] [left]The main target of the derby, as might be expected, is the Crappie, or Calico Bass as it is sometimes known. While the Black Crappie is the best known relative of the family, the White Crappie predominates in the Whitney Point Reservoir. [/left]

Prizes, in addition to the 15 minute "special derbies" between 8am and 3pm, include major prizes for the largest Crappie of the day (1st, 2nd & 3rd) along with prizes for the largest fish of a number of other fish species. Prizes are also awarded for largest fish (weight) of the day for many fish species and door prizes assure that everyone has a shot at some prize. To win you must be registered. You can register at local bait shops starting a few days before the event or at the Pancake Breakfast. Registration will also take place on the ice starting at about 7:00am.

Derby Rules & Regs:
1. All contestants must register 2. Only one "Special Prize" per contestant
3. All fish must be legally caught 4. Fish must be freshly caught (not frozen)
5. Fish must be taken from Whitney Point Lake & during the derby hours
6. Ties are decided by "First Registered" 7. WPSA members are not eligible for prizes
8. The judges decisions are final 8. [#ff0000]White Crappies only[/#ff0000] [left][#000000]Snowmobiles/4Wheelers [url "http://www.crappiederby.com/Indexa.htm"][#0000ff]Rules[/#0000ff][/url] for the Derby:
You can bring them and use them for transportation to your fishing spot but must park them until time to go home. No touring or Hot Roding. This will be enforced by DEC and BC Security.[/#000000][/left]

For further information, please explore the links below and/or contact Dave Hughes at (607) 692-3263 or [url "mailto:info@crappiederby.com"][#0000ff]info@crappiederby.com.[/#0000ff][/url]
[signature]