Frank Hyatt of Kemmerer heads to the 34th annual Lions Club ice fishing derby.  The derby raised nearly $17,000. (GAZETTE PHOTO / Michelle Tibbetts)

It was a beautiful winter day with blue skies and mild tempuratures as the Kemmerer Lions Club commenced its 34th annual Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The derby had a successful turnout, with 435 participants setting up their ice huts on Lake Viva Naughton — quickly transforming the lake into a large fishing village. Fundraising proceeds are estimated at $17,000, making it a great success.

With the lake sitting at approximately 7,250 feet above sea level, Lake Viva Naughton is one of the few lakes that consistently builds ice, even in warmer temperatures, according to Lions Club President Mark Quinn.

Fontennelle Reservoir’s fishing derby was cancelled the week before due to open water on the reservoir. Kemmerer was one of the few ice fishing events that was actually able to take place without concerns for ice conditions and safety.

“As our primary fundraiser of the year, the event was a resounding success,” Quinn said. “We would like to offer our thanks to all of those who worked to put together the event, those who helped promote it, and most of all those who supported it by participating.”

It didn’t take long for the anglers to get busy. The first fish caught on Saturday by Robert Fladland of Evanston measured a 20 1⁄4”. But shortly after, Angie Jackson of Kemmerer caught a 21 ¾” fish, which ended up being largest catch of the derby. Jackson went home as the overall big fish winner with the $1,000 prize.

Jackson is no stranger to the winner’s circle; both her uncle Ken Nishi and brother Jeff Nishi have won the overall big fish prize before.

In 1998, Jeff Nishi caught a 25 ¾”, and in 2012 Ken caught a 23 ¾.”

“I was very surprised to think I held the largest fish for two days,” Jackson said.

This was only her second year participating, as ice fishing is a new hobby for her.

Unfortunately, no one caught any of the coveted big money tagged fish this year.

“At this time, we plan to conduct the tagged fish part of the tournament again next year,” Quinn said. 

The 2019 Derby is scheduled to be held on President’s Day Weekend.

“Tagged fish will carry prize money totaling $35,000, to commemorate the 35th year of the event.” Quinn said.

Sunday morning came with a winter storm warning as several inches of heavy snow fell, but that didn’t stop the anglers. Matt McCloud and Clint Nielson from the South Lincoln County Road & Bridge Department were quick to plow the roads and parking lot ensuring safe travel for all throughout the event. There is still a chance to win the Strike Master Ice Auger. There are approximately 200 tickets left to sell before they can draw a winner. The raffle which is in support of Easton’s Project.

“The raffle will be run until the funding target is met,” Quinn said. “As such, we are able to contribute 100 percent of the proceeds from the raffle to Easton’s Project.” 

All of the derby proceeds go into the Lions Club project account which is used for selected charitable and community projects. A new project on the horizon is to assist the Wyoming Game and Fish with a gate project for the community fishing pond in Kemmerer.

OVERALL BIG FISH PRIZES

Overall Big Fish: Angie Jackson (Kemmerer, WY) $1,000 with a 21 3⁄4” fish;
Women’s Overall Big Fish: Amanda Jackson (Rock Springs, WY): $150 with a 20 1⁄4” fish; Youth Overall Big fish: Michael Lewis (Tooele, UT): $150 with a 20 1⁄2” fish

SUNDAY DAILY BIG FISH PRIZES
First Daily Big fish: Robert Coker (Pleasant View, UT): $300 with a 20 1⁄2” fish; Second Daily Big fish: Michael Lewis (Tooele, UT): $200 with a 20 1⁄2” fish

SATURDAY DAILY BIG FISH PRIZES
First Daily Big Fish: Robert Fladland (Evanston, WY): $300 with a 20 1⁄4” fish; Second Daily Big Fish: Robin Clark (Kemmerer, WY): $200 with a 20 1⁄2” fish

SUNDAY HOURLY BIG FISH PRIZES
8:00 Hour: Robert Coker (Pleasant View, UT): $100 with a 20 1⁄2” fish; 9:00 Hour: Michael Lewis (Tooele, UT): $100 with a 20 1⁄2” fish;
10:00 Hour (Tie): Ed Goble (Bountiful, UT): $50 with a 20” fish;
10:00 Hour (Tie): Cache Broberg (Garden City, UT): $50 with a 20” fish; 11:00 Hour: Ken Stokes (West Haven, UT): $100 with a 19 1⁄2” fish; 12:00 Hour (Tie): Kelly Powers (Lyman, WY): $50 with a 19 1⁄4” fish and Daxton Manca (Weber, UT): $50 with a 19 1⁄4” fish

1:00 Hour (Tie): Kelly Powers (Lyman, WY): $50 with a 19 1⁄4” fish and Daxton Manca (Weber, UT): $50 with a 19 1⁄4” fish; 2:00 Hour: Matt Hannan (Evanston, WY): $100 with a 19 3⁄4” fish; 3:00 Hour: Kelly Powers (Lyman, WY): $100 with a 19” fish;
4:00 Hour: Lonnie Delzer (Roy, UT): $100 with a 19 1/8” fish

SATURDAY HOURLY BIG FISH PRIZES
8:00 Hour: Robert Fladland (Evanston, WY): $100 with a 21 1⁄4” fish; 9:00 Hour (Tie): Ron Clark (Green River, WY): $50 with a 19 1⁄2” fish and Travis Beckstead (Ogden, UT): $50 with a 19 1⁄2” fish; 10:00 Hour (Tie): Ron Clark (Green River, WY): $50 with a 19 1⁄2” fish and Travis Beckstead (Ogden, UT): $50 with a 19 1⁄2” fish; 11:00 Hour: Angie Jackson (Kemmerer, WY): $100 with a 21 3⁄4” fish; 12:00 Hour: Tyler Bernhisel (Twin Falls, ID): $100 with a 19 1⁄4” fish; 1:00 Hour: Corey Sawley (Midvale, UT): $100 with a 19 1⁄4” fish;
2:00 Hour: Zack Angelos (Bountiful, UT): $100 with a 19” fish;
3:00 Hour: Robin Clark (Kemmerer, WY): $100 with a 20 1⁄2” fish;
4:00 Hour: Jayton Kaiser (Mountain View, WY): $100 with a 19 1⁄2” fish