46th annual Blake Jones Trout Derby north of Bishop
This year marks the 46th consecutive year that Bishop, California will celebrate the sport of trout fishing by hosting an early season derby bearing the name of legendary fisherman Blake Jones.
On Saturday, March 16th the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce expects upwards of 1,000 anglers to participate in the contest, which is one of the state’s biggest annual single-day fishing events.
According to event organizers, it’s fitting that the derby honors a man who was dedicated to promoting the sport of trout fishing in the Eastern Sierra. Blake and his wife Peggy were avid anglers and their favorite fishing holes were in the lakes and streams surrounding the Bishop area. The couple served as expert guides and instructors and they would never hesitate to stop along the road and help people fish.
Legend has it that Jones was the creator of one of the world’s first bottled cheese baits in the 1950’s, revolutionary because it stayed on the hook even when submersed in water.
Blake Jones was passionate about trout fishing and he really got “turned on” by turning others on to the joys of fishing in the Eastern Sierra. It’s in this spirit of turning anglers on to the plethora of year-round angling opportunities in the region that the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce continues to organize and promote the derby in Jones’ honor.
The 2013 event is slated for March 16th – just one day before lucky Saint Patrick’s Day at Pleasant Valley Reservoir, 8 miles north of downtown Bishop. Prior to the derby Pleasant Valley Reservoir and the Lower Owens River are always well stocked with Alpers and DFG trout.
The contest is a “blind bogey” competition, so everyone has equal chance to win. Each registered participant may enter up to five fish and if any of the fish weights match the blind bogey weight, they’ll be entered into a raffle to win awesome prizes. Last year’s winners took home more than $10,000 worth of fishing gear, float tubes, tackle, gift certificates and cash!
There are categories for adults and kids and additional prizes are awarded for big fish, early bird entries and farthest travel to the derby. Early registration is just $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.
For entry forms and more info, contact the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (760) 873-8405 or www.bishopvisitor.com.