East Canyon Fishing Derby

[styngray32]

So I have a question and it would be "What happens if there is no safe ice for the upcoming fishing derby next weekend?"
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[limitone]

I contacted the guy running this thing about a week or so ago and he informed me it would be moved to another date. However, he didn't say when that determination would be made.

Is there any ice up there now? The Park's website "conditions" section don't tell much and is never kept current.
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[fearfish]

I think it will freeze for a while it's supposed to up to 50 on Monday up there
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[limitone]

My brother-in-law just sent me a text telling me he was up there Saturday and there were boats on the lake.


Not good!
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[BULLOCK9]

Does anyone have any ice updates from this past weekend?
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[wombat1947]

I have heard. It's not froze. But don't know 100 percent. Has anyone heard what there going to do with the derby? I read that they were gunna postpone it. But when? If not froze. Is it gunna freeze? Any info would be great.
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[Jim_Muskie]

I emailed Zack yesterday and here is his response:

No boats as of late. Derby is still a go.
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[mme1]

It's 40 degrees and raining this morning. Half of the snow in my yard was gone overnight. I will ride up tonight and take a look if I get off work before dark.




Here's a pic
Spotty ice in the arms and main body wide open. I would make other plans for Saturday
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[limitone]

I'd like to know when someone is going to make an official decision on this thing. I have called the park phone number several times and no one ever answers or returns my calls. Now their message machine is "full". I also emailed the guy running this thing at Fins & Fur and he's informed me that the derby is still "on". Now I am beginning to wonder about my entry fees.
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[Gofinns21]

I haven't posted on here before,but thought I would share what I know about the ice conditions. I have to agree with you on making other plans for Saturday. I spoke to someone over a week ago involved with putting the derby on and they said it was 5 inch off the boat ramp and safe ice. I have been doing work in Morgan for the past couple weeks and drive past almost every day to check. I went out last Thursday with my Auger and punched a few holes and it was under 2 inch(with the cold temps at night) and cracking like crazy. I been up a few more times since and those couple holes I drilled haven't even froze up yet and there is more water and melting since last week and looks much worse in my opinion. I have fished solid ice at 2-3 inch plenty of times ( don't tell my wife lol) but the group of people I signed up with and myself are going to sit this one out, because its just way to sketchy for one person, let alone a bunch of fishermen. Hope this helps and if you do fish it be safe and take your ice picks.
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[wombat1947]

I also emailed Zack. He responded that the derby is still a go .And there is 4 inches of good ice. And growing quick. So not real sure where he is checking it. I would agree tho 2 to 3 inchs is probably not safe. To hold a derby. Hope to find out soon. Been so warm can't imagine it will be good.
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[Gofinns21]

Drove by East Canyon again today. Even less ice and more open water about 20 yards from boat ramp. All the ice there was looked melted 1 ft or so away from the shore line. I think it's crazy they still think the tournament is a good idea with this ice.

[Fishsticker]

Fished all over the lake today. VERY LITTLE safe fishable ice. All edges have pulled back 18-24 inches.
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[Jim_Muskie]

I don’t know about everyone else but why would you continue a ice fishing tournament if the ice conditions are really that bad? The deposit is non-refundable. Makes you wonder how much $50 bucks is worth. Thanks for the update.
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[Topehaw]

The fact that the organizer and the state park for that matter have not cancelled the event over a week ago, when the forecast was announced, tells you that they have only their own interest out front. The ice is unsafe and if you chose to go anyway I believe you are putting your self at risk.
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[MACMAN]

The logistics of making changes in a derby like this would be a nightmare for the organizers. Anything other than a refund, people are going to be pissed and we all agreed to their policy. I know changing the date would not work for me, and in my opinion would be breaching the agreement. My feeling is if they stand by the no refund policy, it is just a Fishing derby, ice or soft water. Looks like there is plenty of open water to fish and if you choose to go out on that “ice” that’s your call, just remember about that waiver you signed. It’ll be interesting to see how this goes down.
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[RonPaulFan]

Ice fishing is a sport.

Skiing off a cliff is also a sport (one I happen to enjoy while singing the scarecrow song from the Wizard of Oz).

Ice fishing on a thin patch of some ice is simply a variation of the sport. I can understand it. I enjoy bicycle road racing specializing in the 100 mile race. I haven't got into downhill mountain bicycle racing. It's a totally different sport. Mine is a test of strength and endurance while the other is a test of nerve to risk life with mitigation by skill and perhaps luck to avoid jagged rocks and tree stumps at high speed.

Maybe prizes can be awarded on the basis of fish combined with the thinness of the ice dared to fish being a multiplier for points. If I were competing, I would certainly go for the thinnest ice! What could go wrong!

Perhaps, I should go anyway with rescue equipment and make rescuing people falling through a sport. But, with this unseasonably warm winter weekend, I'll use the opportunity to do some outdoor chores and get them out of the way for when we hopefully get some good ice fishing. For those who do ice fish on thin ice, please use caution and safety equipment.

If it goes like last year's short season, I'll drive to another state. I really want to ice fish this year. I've bought a lot more lures to try.

Perhaps I should give all of my money to Al Gore to save the world from global warming [laugh] and get us a cold winter for better ice fishing, but even a cold winter is claimed to be global warming, too! [shocked]
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[Jim_Muskie]

I am bringing my duck boat. Look out 😁
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[RonPaulFan]

[quote Jim_Muskie]I am bringing my duck boat. Look out ...[/quote]

Good! You rescue those we can't reach from firm ice.

Ronald

[Jim_Muskie]

Anyone else pay with pay pal? About ready to dispute the charges due to unsafe ice conditions. Anyone have pictures that I can forward to them proving my case?
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