Bass Derby Will Raise Money For Project Graduation and Protect the Ecosystem

A Bass Derby being held this weekend will have a couple of purposes. First, it will raise money for the PVHS Project Graduation Trip, plus it will help the ecosystem of the pond. Bass were illegally introduced into the fresh water and the derby aims to clear some of them out!

Living with a bass fisherman has taught me the difference between a bass tournament and a bass derby. See, tournaments, like the kind that Jim fishes, are catch and release events. But a derby is not. And the Cold Stream Pond Bass Derby is not a catch and release competition.

This Saturday, from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., anglers are invited to fish any part of Cold Strem Pond, with the understanding that the bass entered in the competition must be caught that day in that pond. Then they can head to Gary Stover Beach (otherwise known as the boat landing/old fish hatchery) in Enfield for the weigh-in from Noon to 7 p.m. There will be several prizes and, it's important to note, each participant will be eligible for only one prize.

Prizes will include $100 for the largest combined weight of bass by one angler, $50 for the 2nd largest combined weight, $100 for the largest number of bass by one angler and $50 for the 2nd largest. And there will be categories for kids with $50 going to he largest combined weight of bass by one angler - for both boys and girls.

In addition, there will be raffle tickets on sale, for anglers, and anyone who isn't interested in fishing. Tickets are a dollar a piece or five dollars for a book of six. Buying a five dollar book of six will include the chance to win shore prizes and the entry fee for the derby. Prizes include an Old Town Canoe Package and Waterfront Concert Tickets!

All Maine fishing laws are in effect and must be followed. Tickets for the derby can be purchased at Enfield General, Thompson's Hardware, or from any PVHS Class of 2017 student.

Proceeds from the event will help the Penobscot Valley High School's Class of 2017 Project Graduation Class trip. They haven't decided where they're going yet, but the class of 2015 apparently went to New York City, and then stopped in Massachusetts for some fun at Six Flags. Sure beats the party-in-a-gravel-pit that ended my senior year in high school!