The Evolution of the Harriman Derby:

In 22 years the Harriman Reservoir Ice Fishing Derby has evolved from a
relatively small one day event to a weekend-long extravaganza.  This year
featuring more than $60,500 in potential prize money and prizes.  The Deerfield
Valley Sportsmen's Club, Inc. host of this annual event is looking for good things
again this year as contestants test their luck in the hopes of heading home with
memories and prizes.

Here is a brief history of the event:

1985 - Our first derby, a one day event; 223 participants, 11 sponsors; one of
four tagged fish caught.

1986 - Lengthened to two days; 227 tickets sold; 62 sponsors of cash prizes.  
The $10,000 tagged fish was caught, as were 14 of the 62 specially tagged fish.

1987 - After the 10K fish was caught last year, sponsored trout grew from 62 to
89; 267 participants despite severe weather conditions.

1988 - A record 130 trout stocked, 347 participants caught 25% of the tagged fish.
1989 - The biggest event to date, a record 464 contestants braving 20 below zero
wind chills, 22% of the 131 fish were caught.

1990 - Another record turnout with an increase of $300 in prize money; Sunday
brought over 15 inches of snow!

1991 - Prize money increased, making a total of over $1100 in the fish category
and almost $20,000 in total money.  537 adults and 56 children entered.  Among
the many big catches was a 6 lb. Brown Trout.

1992 - Breaking records again, there were 697 fishermen braving the cold
weather and high winds.  Mother Nature took the upper hand and only one of 149
tagged fish was caught.

1993 - In addition to the $10,000 fish a second specially tagged fish worth a
$4000 ATV or snowmobile was added; 500 ice fishermen, who again contended
with poor weather while catching 13 of the 150 tagged fish.

1994 - Mother Nature was particularly cruel, record cold temperatures and a wind
chill of 40 below zero!  Only 300 hearty anglers braved the conditions to catch 13
tagged fish.

1995 - The original dates postponed due to unsafe ice during one of the mildest
winters in decades.   By the alternative dates there was plenty of ice and
contestants.  535 including 467 adults and 67 junior entries.  27 of the 140
tagged trout were caught.

1996 - A lot of extra expenses and headaches     A record 935 contestants.  A
warming spell forced the postponement of the derby just HOURS before its
scheduled start due to unsafe ice.  That forced a second stocking of trout with
new tags.  And as if that weren't enough the $10,000 trout was caught -- but then
disqualified when it was learned that the contestant had used a sonar fishfinder in
violation of derby rules!  26 tagged fish were caught.

1997 - Another record turnout with 960 Adults and 125 children.  Cold and wind
marked the event which featured the catching of 22 tagged trout along with a 5.33
lb. Brown Trout.

1998 - The $10,000 first prize fish was caught Saturday.  More than 1000 anglers
participated under sunny skies and relatively mild temperatures.  25 tagged trout
were caught.

1999 - Crazy weather, unseasonable warm followed by heavy rains forced the
postponement of the derby -- not once but TWICE.  It was worth the wait for 900
anglers, including a record 40 anglers who caught tagged trout.  Two for major
prizes:  a pickup truck and an ATV.

2000 - Beautiful weather in the 20's attracted 850 anglers who caught 26 tagged
fish and $2000 in prize money awarded.

2001 - Had over 1000 anglers and a $5000 ATV was won.

2002 - 700 Anglers caught 46 tagged fish.  $1000 cash prize was paid out and a
$5000 snowmobile was won.

2003 - 1192 Tickets were sold.  48 of the 150 tagged fish caught and three
$1000.00 cash prizes paid out.      DERBY CHAIRPERSONS CHANGED AS WELL
AS THE DATE OF ALL FUTURE DERBIES.  Tired of fighting Mother Natures bad
humor - we NOW  schedule the derby for the FIRST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN
FEBRUARY!

2004 - 1118 Contestants caught 13 of the 150 tagged fish.  Top prize won was a
$5000 ATV.

2005 - 31 tagged fish were caught, 978 contestants ENJOYED THE 53 DEGREE
SUNSHINE WEATHER ON BOTH DAYS!  $1000 cash prize and $1940 paid out on
the 31 tagged fish caught.  Contestants were sunbathing, riding snowmobiles shirt
less, grilling and deep frying turkeys on the ice!  Sunblock was in desperate need
with the reflection off the snow.  Lots of sunburn smiling faces!

2006 - 22nd Ice fishing derby was rescheduled due to heavy rain fall the first
weekend in February.  Derby went off February 25th & 26th with 882 Contestants.
 Saturday was typical "derby" cold of only 5 degrees and it was topped off with 12"
of fresh snow!  We stocked the lake twice due to the postponement.  Three
tagged fish were caught.  $25.00 sponsored by Moose Head Cedar Log Homes,
$25.00 sponsored by the Jacksonville Store and $1000.00 sponsored by
Thompson & Son A-Z Services. $1225.00 was paid out in board prizes for 1st,
2nd and 3rd place winners.  Children won trophies in two age categories 1-8
years old and 9-14 years old and the first Kayla Lackey Award was presented to
Lucas Newell for a combined perch weight of 1.54 lbs.  

2007 - Like last year, this derby had to be postponed due to unseasonably warm
weather.  We finally had ice in time for the 23rd annual derby on February 24th &
25th.  Saturday started with typical icy cold winds, but tempered off by the end of
the day.  Sunday was a beautiful sunny day.  790 contestants diligently tried to
catch one of the 150 white tagged Brook trout, but only one succeeded, catching
#123 sponsored by High Country worth $25.00.

Good luck to all -- see you at Headquarters -- the winners tent!
Ice Fishing Derby History
Deerfield Valley Sportsmen's Club