Exceptionally dry weather have left Fishing Creek low and warm. So we called an audible and decided to hold a tournament of previous WBT 4th of July trout derby winners at Rainbow Paradise.
Our prior champions included Amy Coleman (2018. Capt. DiPaola's protest over the results of the 2018 trout derby are still under review.), Lily Whitfield (co-winner in 2019 and 2020), and Elliot "Bearclaw" Felker (co-winner in 2019 and 2020, and winner of 2021 derby).
The contest began at approximately 10:15 AM. Weather was cool; upper 60s that warmed to the mid-70s when the tournament ended at 12:30. Skies began cloudy from a front that moved through the night before and brough some much needed rain, but the sun began showing through around 11:00. Water temp in the lake was in the upper 50s.
Rules for the tournament were fly fishing only, catch and release, and barbless hooks. Things started out a bit slow, with the anglers slowly getting used to the conditions (of hundreds of trout meandering well within casting distance).
Amy struck first with an 11-inch Rainbow, which for a while seemed like it might be the winner.
Things heated up quickly. Amy brought a nice 15 inch Rainbow to the net. Lily took the lead with a Rainbow of 17 inches, which Amy tied with her own 17-inch fish on an Orange Stimulator.
It looked like we would have co-winners, as Bearclaw was in danger of being shut out. He was getting plenty of takes on his Hopper/Dropper rig, but just wasn't getting a decent hook set. But, right as the tournament was coming to a close, the trout gods smiled, and Elliot landed what would be the tournament winner, a fat 20-inch Rainbow.
It was a spirited competition. The anglers demonstrated proper fly-fishing etiquette, maintained a cordial spirit amongst themselves, cooperated at the net, attempted no acts of sabotage against their competitors, and released all fish unharmed back to the lake. Hopefully we will see wetter conditions in 2023 and return to home waters for the next WBT trout derby.
But until then, congratulations to the 2022 West Branch Tavern Tournament of Champions winner.
Happy Independence Day!
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
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