2012 was a great year for the 31st LCI Father's Day Derby presented by Yamaha. After battling record-setting lake levels in 2011, this year's crop of anglers were blessed with warm, sunny weather all weekend.
The numbers say it all.
5,762 anglers from 24 states competed for $94,807.78 in cash, $50,925 in boats, and $59,990 in merchandise. One angler traveled 6,368 miles to fish, one walked away with $10,842 in cash, and another with $22,689 cash and prizes. 792 T.E.A.M.s battled it out for one of three Sylvan/Yamaha boat packages valued at $16,975.
Lake Champlain did not disappoint with some big fish making their way onto the scales. Six people walked away with $3000 checks for their first place fish in the Smallmouth bass (5.00 pounds), walleye (7.48 pounds), Northern pike (12.10 pounds), Lake trout (14.15 pounds), landlocked Atlantic salmon (7.42), Largemouth bass (6.02), and extraordinary categories (18.05 sheepshead). Other notable fish include the 28.21 pound carp that won the $1000 Crazy Carp Challenge presented by Team Realtree Outdoor Energy, a 12.49 pound bowfin, and a 7.60 pound salmon weighed in by one of the many Junior Anglers.
Family turnout for the 31st year of the derby was spectacular, with 343 families registering. The juniors made an excellent showing, weighing in lakers over 12 pounds, salmon over 7 pounds, 6.64-pound walleye, 4-pound smallmouth, 5-pound largemouth, bowfin in excess of 12 pounds, and 20+ pound catfish.
The LCI Father's Day Derby presented by Yamaha is a celebration of family, friends, and fishing. It is a major fundraiser for Lake Champlain International's successful conservation efforts to maintain a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain. All entrance fees go directly into Lake Champlain conservation, fisheries restoration, youth outreach and education, and Derby prizes. To see a full set of derby photos, please see the album on the Lake Champlain International Facebook page, fb.com/LakeChamplain.
The LCI Father's Day Derby presented by Yamaha could not be the 31 year success it is without the support of our incredible sponsors. The following companies are integral to the Derby.
LCI would also like to thank the dozens of volunteers that are essential to the operation of the Derby. Their roles as weigh captains, data entry, equipment runners, event setup, and more, are absolutely vital to success. We could not do it without their help.
To learn more about all the great events LCI has to offer, including our 5-month
LCI All-Season Tournament presented by Gander Mountain, visit www.lciderby.com.
