Outdoors with Don Q: Davis Lake, Calif. annual ice fishing derby on Feb. 7

An annual ice fishing derby will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Davis Lake, Calif., with an entry fee of $20 per person. The only uncertainty is whether it will be an ice fishing or a water fishing derby.

It is normally an ice fishing derby at this time of the year, but last year and again this year, it is shaping up to be a water fishing derby due to lack of ice on the lake.

How to reach Davis Lake:
It can be reached from Carson City by taking I-580/U.S. 395 north to Reno.
From Reno, continue on U.S. 395 past Bordertown and the Nevada-California state line to California S.R. 70 at Hallelujah Junction.

At Hallelujah Junction, take S.R. 70 to the west, drive over Beckwourth Pass, go past Chilcoot, Vinton, the Beckwourth airport, Beckwourth, a State roadside rest area on the left, an old cemetery on the right, and then Grizzly Road on the right.

Turn right onto Grizzly Road and travel north for about six miles to just before reaching the lake.
Take the paved road on the left, cross over the dam and in several hundred yards, the J&J Grizzly Store (derby headquarters) will be on your left side.
The entire trip will be about 80 miles (one-way) from Carson City.

Derby Rules:
01. A total of two fish per angler can be entered. Combined length and weight of each fish will determine placement in the derby.
02. It is the responsibility of each participant to know and abide by all tournament rules and the rules and regulations of the Plumas National Forest.
03. Only fish caught in Davis Lake on Saturday, Feb. 07 will be eligible for prizes.
04. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by a toss of the coin.
05. Any person conducting themselves in a disorderly or intoxicated manner, or in violation of any U.S. Forest Service rules, regulations, state laws or regulations or tournament rules may be expelled from the tournament and denied re-entry to future tournaments.
06. Derby officials' decisions are final.
07. The tournament will not be cancelled or rescheduled due to weather conditions. No refunds will be allowed.
08. Tournament officials are ineligible to participate in the tournament.
09. All anglers must be in possession of their own fish.
10. Meet at the J&J Grizzly Store. Check-in time: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
11. Fishing starts at 8:00 a.m.
12. Weigh-ins end at 3:00 p.m. at the J&J Grizzly Store.
Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society (a non-profit organization).

Derby Prizes:
First place: A trophy and $200 cash.
Second Place: A trophy and a cash amount based on the number of entries.
Third Place: A trophy and a cash amount based on the number of entries.
Derby Organizer:
John Pato, Sr., 682 North Gulling, Portola Ca (530) 832-9659.

Miscellaneous:
Be sure to have a valid California fishing license to enter the tournament.
Payment for all entries may be combined into one personal check or money order.
Registration forms available at:
KS Market - Portola, Calif.
Mill Works - Graeagle, Calif.
J& J Grizzly Store - Davis Lake, Calif.
For information, call:
J& J Grizzly Store (530) 832-0270
John Pato ((530) 832-9659.

Finally:
Plan to have a different type of outdoor activity on Saturday, February 07.
And, if you get lucky or are skillful, you could win a trophy and some cash.
Give it a try!

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you my all-time favorite location for ice fishing in the dead of winter.
If he grins and says, "That's easy, it is Wildhorse Reservoir in Northern Elko County," he could have been on one or more of our many trips up there.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. Don's wife, Elaine, is the Outdoor photographer. They can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.