Todays Portland Press Herald(Future of Sebago lake Derby)

[icewoman]

On the front page, theres an article saying that the Windham Rotary is considering NOT having the Sebago Derby anymore.
Main reason is because of unsafe ice .......   I for one want to see this Derby continue, maybe if we get in touch with the Rotarians and let them know
how much we enjoy this Derby they'll keep it going...   A decision is supposed to be made in May...so I suggest email or call Windham Rotary!

                                                                                                                                        Thanks, Brenda

[BassinAssassin]

If it is due to a "safety concern" then I doubt much can be done. 

[icewoman]

No one can predict when or if Sebago will freeze solid BUT I thought that's why they made it Cumberland County too!
Which seemed to work out well this year ,I thought.

[lunkahville]

Derbys have gone by the way side up here. Use to be one on a local pond to benefit the local R&G club but I have not seen that happen for awhile. Hopefully they save this one, heard allot of people had fun this year. And for safety common sense isn't so common anymore

[TinyTim]

No loss in my book... lol

[rude the dude]

No loss in my book... lol

I second that.

[joefishmore]

WON'T MISS IT A BIT---WREAKS THE FISHING AND MESSES UP ALL THE ACCESS POINTS
IRRITATES THE INHABITANTS AROUND THE LAKE AND CAUSES THEM TO CLOSE PRIVATE
ROADS AND ACCESS AREAS--VIZ "THE TENNIS COURTS "

[icewoman]

Well I've  ALWAYS enjoyed this Derby.....and think it would be a big loss!

[marty70]

I agree icewoman they should keep it open and add it in with another derby if unsafe they use to add it in with the state wide derby.i miss the one they use to have on ossipee to.its sad to see them shutting down the derbies

[bee]

Considering the last few winters and the problems and complaints incured probably a good move. You can't compromise safety.

[hookngal]

I too hope they keep this Derby going......It's the largest one around, brings in thousands of people from all over.   And helps the businesses in

the Sebago Lake area. 

As for Bees comment "You can't compromise safety"......  If you looked at every Derby that way, then none would be held.  Yes , you need safe ice to fish but the fishermen/women need to use some judgement too. Because I know for a FACT that every Derby that I attended this year had open water in some areas..  Yes Sebago had more open water, but look at the size of it, there are plenty of areas to fish on the lake just gotta use common sense.

[mr.clean]

Ice women just a suggestion besides posting here asking for support also write a letter for the letter to editor section of the portland newspaper asking other ice anglers to contact the rotarians to mantian the derby. The more people they here from the better your chances this derby will continue in my opinion. Good luck with this from a south east NY. resident who enjoys looking through and reading posts in the Maine Community.
Steve

[sebagosalmo]

Safety is # 1 concern, a lot of people fish this derby due to prizes. With that being said folks come from far away that are not familiar with the dangerous areas  that exist on Sebago even when the Lake freezes completely on both sides, Big Bay & Jordan Bay their are dangerous areas! I think the Cumberland County Derby was good addition, opening the Derby up to Perch, pickerel, Pike, Cusk, and Lake Trout. By opening up all Lakes & Ponds in Cumberland County it gives all fisherman and especially children a chance to win a top prize! The only 2 changes I recommend are,

#1  add crappie to the list of prize fish.

#2 allow Sebago rules for Lakers, if fisherman choose to fish Sebago, meaning catch as many fish under 23 inches as you want to register for prize pool, and existing rule of 1 fish over 33 inches for top Laker.

Its my opinion that most fisherman will fish for warm water fish to increase their chances at prize pool! That's what happened this year!