16th Annual Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby

[stagatha]

Get those licenses early and due to COVID try to get them online.

[stagatha]

Register your snowmobiles early....and with COVID try to do it online...please.

[stagatha]

Want a gaiter(s) mailed to you?

1-2  $4.00 for postage and $20 per gaiter.
3-5  $5.00 for postage and $20 per gaiter.

[stagatha]

Long Lake is freezing over.
Two days of -3 (F) degree nighttime temperatures is getting Long Lake ready for the January 30-31 Ice Fishing Derby. The top photo was taken in front of the Derby weigh station (Long Lake Sporting Club) on December 17. The lower photo was taken on November 26 at the same location. Ice now covers most of the lake. Ice fishing start on Long Lake, on January 1, 2021

[stagatha]

Gaiters are now available at Lake Road Grocery in Soldier Pond and at the Frenchville and St. Agatha Town offices AND Roy's Variety in St. Agatha...they are going fast and we ordered MORE.
For any mail orders please contact the Derby Chairman @ 207 227 5252.

[stagatha]

It is time to put out the smelt cabins. January 1 is fast approaching and the smelts are waiting. Check the ice thickness before you venture out.

[stagatha]

Attention Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby registrants,

The ice on Long Lake is getting thicker but is only safe in some areas. The ice in ¼ of the lake is from 5 to 7 inches thick. The rest of the lake has much thinner ice and not yet safe.

However the fish being caught are big. This past weekend, an 8 pound salmon was reported caught as well as a 4 pound Brook Trout. Below is a photo of a 22 inch, 4lb 4oz Landlock Salmon caught this morning.

 

[stagatha]

Important COVID-19 reminders:
There is no opening or closing ceremonies as  in the past.
The closing ceremony will be virtual.  More info with the link will be share.
The weigh station at the Long Lake Sporting Club will adhere to strict COVID-9 guidelines...limited number of people allowed to come in to weigh a fish...face coverings are mandatory...all committee staff will follow social distancing and face coverings with some members working elsewhere to decease the number of people in the club.
All prizes will be mailed to winners.
More info as we get closer!!!

[stagatha]

19 days until the Derby...and we finally have a -2 reading on the thermometer...YEAH!!!



DO FISH GET COLD?

[stagatha]

How many fishermen does it take to change a light bulb?

One, but you should have seen the bulb – it was THIS big!

[jacksmelt71]

heard a rumor the derby may be cancelled due to bad ice? any truth to that? i checked birch point today and found 3.5 to 4in. of ice. in front of the sporting club cant be much better. no real cold forecasted in the 10 day either.

[teampar]

heard a rumor the derby may be cancelled due to bad ice? any truth to that? i checked birch point today and found 3.5 to 4in. of ice. in front of the sporting club cant be much better. no real cold forecasted in the 10 day either.
[/quot

With the ice/forecast it would be the smart thing to do.

[jacksmelt71]

yep it probably is but its like 1st ice on the smaller lakes, be careful and use common sense. unfortunitly not everyone has a good handle on that.

[stagatha]

Interview with Paul Bernier, Chairperson of the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby.



http://q961.com/files/2021/01/LONG-LAKE-ICE-FISHING-DERBY-Interview-2021.mp3

[stagatha]

WAGM TV ad

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UaP3X_lO6rGrZVBezjLwgz6iW3202dxF/view?invite=CKSV-t0C&ts=6000587e

[stagatha]

Long Lake Derby Welcomes General Dynamics as New Diamond Sponsor for 2021

St. Agatha - Officials with Maine’s Largest Ice Fishing Derby are pleased to announce the Diamond Level Sponsorship of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for the 2021 event that will be held the weekend of January 30 & 31 over 10 different waterbodies in Northern Aroostook County.

The $2,500 sponsorship will be used to support the event which raises funds for the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund administered by Northern Maine Medical Center. Last year, the Derby attracted over 1,600 participants for the two-day affair that is now in its 16th year. The event offers a $20,000 cash purse for various categories and over $22,000 in material prizes including an Ultimate Ice Fishing Package, a Sportshack Ice Shack and this year’s grand prize, a 2021Ski Doo Expedition 900.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bath Iron Works this year and are very thankful for their outreach to us and commitment to the 2021 Derby,” said Paul Bernier, Derby Chairman.

In addition to the sponsorship, Bath Iron Works staff will attend the event and be available to discuss opportunities for anyone interested in a career at Bath Iron Works.

“We are very excited to be part of the 2021 Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby,” said Mike Ross, BIW’s Manager of Talent Acquisition and Organizational Development. “This is a great opportunity for Maine’s largest manufacturer to support an important event. It also gives us a chance to show people in northern Maine the wide range of great opportunities available at BIW, where we employ people from all 16 of Maine’s counties.”

BIW is looking to fill over 2,500 new positions in 2021 and will be conducting on the spot job interviews/offers during the event.

For more information about the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby or to register for the 2021 event, please visit https://www.stagatha.com/derby

For more information about Bath Iron Works and career opportunities visit: www.biwcareers.com or call 207-442-4506 to speak with an employment representative.

###

[stagatha]

PEOPLE HAVE ASKED, "WHAT'S IN THE ULTIMATE FISHING PACKAGE?"
HERE'S THE LIST:
Tote sled, ice auger, set of 5 flags, yeti cooler, weekend stay at Lakeside Rentals, weekend stay at the Inn of Acadia, and a few more miscellaneous items total value = $3100.00.

YOU COULD ALSO WIN THIS:


YOU COULD ALSO WIN THIS:

[stagatha]

You can register at:

https://www.longlakeicefishingderby.com/derby.html

You need not participate to win prizes.

[stagatha]

We are following IF&W guidelines and more. Part of our staff will NOT be at the Long Lake Sporting Club but at the St. Agatha Town Office. This is what the state sent to us.  There are no opening or closing ceremonies...the awards ceremony will be virtual...and ALL PRIZES WILL BE MAILED.

RESTARTING MAINE’S ECONOMYCOVID-19 Fishing Derby GuidelinesThe State of Maine has adopted a staged approach, supported by science, public health expertise and industry collaboration, to allow Maine businesses to safely open and allow regulated activities to resume when the time is right.

The plan is available at www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine.  This is one of many industry/activity guidance documents that the State is providing for businesses and for regulated activities so they can reopen/resume safely. Please make sure you pair this document with the general guidance document that applies to all industries/activities, which is available online at www.maine.gov/DECD.

 The purpose of these guidelines are to encourage recreational angling and to allow organized fishing events to occur in a safe and healthy manner. Please use common sense and keep this goal in mind.  A failure to adhere to these guidelines is a violation of the derby permit and may result in the loss of privileges to participate in future events.Please note: This document may be updated as additional information and resources become available.Updated December 23, 2020General Guidance for Indoor and Outdoor Event Spaces •Require all staff, vendors, and guests to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from individuals who are not part of their household group/angling party whenever possible.•Require all staff, vendors, and guests to wear a face covering for indoor and outdoor public settings defined in Executive Order 16 and subsequent orders, per CDC recommendations and pertinent ExecutiveOrders from the Office of the Governor.•The number of individuals that can gather in an indoor or outdoor space must not exceed the limit established by the Governor’s Executive Orders. •It is mandated that all out-of  -state travelers coming into Maine, as well as Maine residents returning to Maine, complete a 10-day quarantine upon arrival. Travelers should monitor for signs and symptoms foran additional 4 days.  For current requirements and travel guidelines refer to theKeep Maine Healthy webpage.•Under no circumstances should an angler or organizer participate if they show signs of illness.
Updated December 23, 2020•Outside events are preferable to inside events in order to reduce the risk of exposure to respiratory droplets from attendees. Increase airflow through open windows and doors for indoor events to the extent practicable.•For indoor events, understand the square footage of the event space and limit the number of people in the space to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.  •Crowding should be minimized where possible, and event organizers should consider using distancing measures to reduce close contact among people during the gathering.•Avoid formal ceremonies and gatherings if possible and certainly do not exceed gathering limits as established within the Governor’s current Executive Order. Utilizing Facebook Live or another digital platform to manage weigh-in results is recommended over an in-person organized ceremony. For more specific information on large gatherings refer to the large gatherings checklist. oEvent briefings, communications, and fees should be managed electronically, preferably in advance of   events to avoid gatherings and a need to actively manage social distancing. Videorecordings for viewing online via Face Book or   web link, or   other electronic messaging should besent to all contestants with information about rules and specific times prior to the event day.

All winnings or prizes should be mailed or distributed in a manner to avoid any type of gathering and in-person interactions.•Remind anglers and event staff to practice good hand hygiene with frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing.•Minimize shared touch surfaces such as pens, tablets, receipts, etc.oUse digital rather than paper formats to the greatest extent practicable.oUse of electronic registration (phone, web-based, email, phone apps) is recommended to reduce interpersonal contact.•Consider installing non-porous physical barriers such as partitions or plexiglass barriers to protect anglers and staff. •Refer to the following documents for guidance on general cleaning and disinfection:oCOVID-19 Prevention Checklist General Guidance (State of   Maine)oCleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)oGuidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools andHomes (CDC)•Food vendors should wear face coverings, practice hand hygiene, use barriers or   tables to maintainphysical distancing to the extent possible, and ensure that patrons do not crowd sales area.oIf food is provided, any vendors or   catering services should refer to the food and drink service checklist.

[stagatha]

11 Days till the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby....

[stagatha]

9 days till the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

[stagatha]

Win this Ice Fishing Cabin! The cabin will be raffled off during the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby on January 30 & 31. To enter the drawing, check the bottom of the Derby Registration form. One lucky winner will be fishing out of this cabin.
 

[stagatha]

Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby Yeti Mugs available from SW Collins Up North Division in Fort Kent, Maine.  $34.99 each.  They will also be available at the Long Lake Sporting Club Base Camp Derby Weekend. Online orders and shipping is also available from SW Collins (207) 834-3102.

[stagatha]

Thank you to all our sponsors.  More Banner photos coming.

[stagatha]

 A NEW DIAMOND SPONSOR THIS YEAR.

[stagatha]

TOMORROW IS THE DAY.

https://fb.watch/31VfQ8iG2h/

[stagatha]

[stagatha]

Beautiful photo taken by Chris Michaud.

[stagatha]

ATTENTION!

Every hour we will post standings from our weigh station with weigh in results. It will start mid-morning Saturday.

[stagatha]