Summer is here, and there are a lot of great outdoor activities for you and your family to participate in. And with Father’s Day just around the corner you may be looking for a fun way to spend the day with your dear old dad. The Lake Champlain International (LCI) Fishing Derby is a wonderful activity that the whole family can enjoy!
This year will be the 35th annual Father’s Day Fishing Derby, featuring raffles, competitions, and more. If your family is in the area, or if you’re looking for a fun vacation, this is one event you shouldn’t miss. And before you go, make sure your sunglasses are in good condition. Proper eye protection is as important as proper skin protection when you are out on the lake. If you need sunglasses repair, LenzFlip has pure polycarbonate replacement lenses for your Costas. Make sure you get your lenses replaced before you hit the water so you won’t have any unnecessary distractions during the competition. (Or get a few backup pairs - our prices are so low, you can easily afford replacement lenses in every tint color!)
The Father’s Day Derby Is Fun For The Whole Family
Whether you are an avid fisher or a first-timer, the LCI Father’s Day Fishing Derby is a great event to participate in. With a number of different categories, a competitive scoring system, and multiple prizes to be won, it is an activity that the whole family will love.
Registration is free, and while online registration is now closed, there are a number of local locations that you can visit to register. These locations are all listed on the website at http://www.mychamplain.net/FathersDayDerby under the Registration tab.
The derby opens at midnight on Saturday, June 18th and it is nonstop fun from there on out. Fishers can hit the waters and start casting their lines all night in preparation for the 9:00 a.m. weigh in later in the morning.
Before you show up to fish you will want to make sure you have all your gear ready to go, as participants are expected to provide all their own fishing equipment. So if you plan on participating now is the time to check your fishing lines; re-stock your tackle box with all the necessities; and prepare a cooler to fill with sodas, lunches, and snacks for the family. You will also want to make sure you pack all the proper outdoor equipment, proper outdoor attire and protection. Don’t forget sunscreen if you are spending all day on the water, and of course sunglasses to protect you from the sun’s UV rays, and to help prevent glare so you can spot those fish from the shore. (And as we mentioned earlier, take the time now to handle any sunglasses repair that you might need.)
Once you get to the Derby you will want to decide which division you are participating in. There are 3 divisions and 7 different species categories, each with a $3000 cash prize for first place, and additional cash prizes for the 2nd through 10th places as well. The derby divisions, species categories, minimum length requirements, and points awarded are as follows:
Cold Water Division:
- Atlantic Salmon/Steelhead – 21”, 65 pts.
- Brown Trout – 28”, 65 pts.
Cool Water Division:
- Northern Pike – 32”, 37 pts.
- Small Mouth Bass – 17”, 100 pts.
Warm Water Division:
- Sheepshead – 22”, 28 pts.
- Bowfin – 23” 41 pts.
There are also lottery drawings spread out across the weekend, making every day something to look forward to whether you catch a winning fish or not. The Derby runs through Monday, June 20th at 4 p.m., at which time all weigh-ins must be complete and judging begins. Preliminary standings will be posted the next day, June 21st, at the Derby Headquarters at 12:00 p.m., at which point a challenge period is available. The challenge period ends at 2:00 p.m., and the final standings are posted at 5:00 p.m. The awards ceremony is the following Friday, June 24th, at 7:00 p.m.
With Your Sunglasses Repair Handled, You’ll Be Ready to Visit Burton Island
You can spend the days in between the derby ending and the awards ceremony by enjoying some of the local Vermont attractions. One of the area’s local attractions is Burton Island State Park.
Burton Island is a 253-acre park located off the southwestern tip of St. Albans Point in Lake Champlain. The park is only accessible via a 10-minute ferry ride from Kamp Kill Kare State Park across the lake.
The island itself has gone by a number of different names over the years. On early 18th century maps, it was often referred to as the “Isle of White,” and as recently as 1874 it was known as “Potter’s Island.” Sidney Burton, the owner of the land leased it out to farmers through the early 1900’s, where they grazed cows, and raised cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens. Crops often grown on the island included peas and beans. Visitors to the island can still go and see remnants of its agricultural history in the tumbling buildings, fallen fences, and overgrown fields.
By 1964 agriculture in the area was fading, and the island was converted into a state park. While original plans for the park included building a causeway for access, the idea died off after people fell in love with the appeal of a park free of motor vehicles. The lack of modern transportation adds to the ambiance, and helps campers and visitors enjoy the natural landscape. Before ferry service was implemented in the 1980s the only way to access the island was via private boat.
Today, the park is a common stop for people cruising the lake, as well as campers and vacationers looking to escape the hustle of modern life and retreat to the wooded, natural area. The park features 17 tent sites, and 26 lean-tos, as well as 15 boat moorings and a 100-slip marina. Internet access and electricity are available in the marina, but the rest of the island is mostly technology free. The island includes around 3 miles of shoreline, numerous hiking trails, a nature center and museum, rowboat and canoe rentals, and designated swimming and picnic areas. There are also restrooms with running water and hot showers available for a fee, as well as a park store and food services, but most visitors go there to enjoy time away from these luxuries, and instead spend time appreciating nature.
Finish Up At The Award Ceremony
After you spend a few days enjoying the beautiful area around Vermont, you can return back to the Derby Headquarters for the Award Ceremony. Even if you don’t win anything, it’s fun to finish out the week attending the ceremony. Who knows, you may know some of the winners!
Whether you decide to spend all weekend enjoying the Derby, or just go out for a day to enjoy some fishing and family fun, you will want to make sure you are well protected. Don’t forget to check your sunglasses for damage, and if you need sunglasses repair, get it done sooner rather than later so it’s one less thing to worry about when the big day comes. Remember, LenzFlip is here if you need OEM-quality, pure polycarbonate replacement lenses for your favorite Costas.