FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Blake Jones Trout Derby is coming back this Saturday, March 12th and it’s going to be better than ever! Prizes will include float tubes, Yeti coolers, propane barbecues, rod & reel combos and tons of other great gear provided by the event’s generous co-sponsors.

Since 1968, the Blake Jones Trout Derby has been a favorite tradition for locals and visitors. It’s a “Blind Bogey” format so everyone has equal chance of winning.

How Blind Bogey works – registered anglers can catch up to five fish and bring them to the weigh-in before 3pm. If any of your fish match the secret weight, you are entered into the “Blind Bogey” raffle. Additional prizes will be awarded for early registration, farthest travel, big fish and even no fish for those that choose catch and release. There are prize categories for adults and kids of all ages.

New for this year…Trash Collector’s Raffle! Take a trash bag along with you on your fishing excursion. Bring the bag and whatever you collect to the fairgrounds with your fish for weigh-in. We’ll give you a separate raffle ticket for some great prizes.

Registration for the derby is now open. Sign up online at www.bishopvisitor.com or drop by the Bishop Chamber of Commerce, 690 North Main Street. Registration fee is $25 for adults and $15 for kids under 12. You can also pre-order your commemorative event t-shirt to be sure they don’t run out of your size.
The entry fees help to offset the cost of the extra fish stocking – more than $17K in the past two months.

Day of derby registration, weigh-in, and awards ceremony will be at the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fairgrounds in downtown Bishop. Fishing locations include Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Owens River. California Department of Fish and Wildlife plants Rainbow Trout year-round in these locations and the Bishop Chamber purchased extra fish from Wright’s Rainbows prior to the derby.

The Blake Jones Trout Derby is co-sponsored by Inyo County, City of Bishop plus many other generous prize sponsors. For more information, contact the Bishop Chamber at (760)873-8405.