GrandSlam Youth Derby slated for May 2

The Wayne County GrandSlam and Merchants Challenge Fishing Youth Derby starts May 2. This county derby will celebrate its 12th year providing area youngsters with a chance to experience some of the finest fishing in New York state. The event also gives the youngsters four months to catch fish and compete for prizes and United States savings bonds.

The derby, which starts the first Saturday in May, is just in time for the opening of walleye and pike, and continues through August 19. On Aug. 29, there will be an awards ceremony in Sodus Point at the fire hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to all youth winners.

The monetary awards are the savings bonds, along with plaques or trophies. To be eligible for prizes, participants must weigh-in fish.

The Wayne County Youth Derby has three divisions. To qualify for the GrandSlam Division, anglers must catch all five species of trout and salmon found in Lake Ontario: brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, king and coho salmon. Qualifying contestants can add to their total weight throughout the event.

The same procedure is used for the Merchants Challenge Division. Anglers have to qualify by catching the five warm water species: pike, walleye, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Again, total weight determines the winner, and anglers can continue to add to their weight during the derby.

The third division of the GrandSlam and Merchants Challenge Derby is the Species Division. The participants who catch the largest fish in any of the 10 species are winners. The derby is open to all young anglers who fish in Wayne County, ages 4 to 16. Those who register before their 17th birthdays can still fish in the derby after they turn 17.

The cost is $5 to register, and official forms are available at local tackle shops and marinas including: Davenport's, Bay Bridge, B-E Tackle, Abe's Bait & Tackle, Hughes Marina and Port Bay Campground. To receive a mailed application, call (800) 527-6510.

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