The 53rd edition of the Blake Jones Trout Derby is now “in the books” and it was a good one! Nearly 400 registered participants weighed in 527 fish on Saturday, March 12th. The largest was 5 pounds and most were in the 1 pound range. The weather was picture perfect and people were in a terrific mood; so happy to be back after the pandemic caused hiatus. Lucky winners took home about $10K worth of prizes including float tubes, Yeti coolers, barbecues, rod & reel combos and tons of other great gear provided by the event’s ever-generous co-sponsors.
Registration, weigh-in and awards ceremony took place at the Tri-County Fairgrounds and it was a really busy day at the venue. There was a D9 High School Rodeo and fundraising dinner, as well as the California Waterfowl Association Dinner. Everyone shared the space and fair staff provided excellent service to all. Some young rodeo calf ropers even gave a demonstration to the Blake Jones crowd during the award ceremony.
The derby is an important tradition for visitors as well as locals. “We want to make sure that it’s sustainable so upcoming generations can enjoy the fishing fun. We’ve added a category for catch & release and a special raffle prize for those who pick up trash while they are out fishing. And, we always purchase and plant far more fish than are usually caught at the derby,” explains Bishop Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
2022 Blake Jones Derby Winners:
- Blind Bogey Adult: Milton Rios (Bishop), David Acosta (Covina), Bart Kernan (Wrightwood), Bud Lenard (Lake Elsinore), Dillon Guatch (Bishop), David Ramirez (Palmdale), Pedro Torrez (Moreno Valley), Brandy Ramirez (Lancaster), Brian Victoria (Lancaster), Tony (Orange), Cirus Posos (Lancaster), Scott Kirshiau (Upland), Jack Stone (Amador), Jose Emerson (San Jose) and Brian Lembke (Los Angeles).
- Kids’ Blind Bogey: Oliver Winford (Orange), Luv Luv Dewey (Bishop), Kolton Cauch (Torrance), Lucas Clark (Bishop), Laton Mayhugh (Bishop), Daniel Torrez (Riverside), Jared Kato (Reno), Nick Sanchez (Bishop).
- Big Fish: Brian Miranda (Reno), Kevin Wheeler and Max Orozco (Los Angeles).
- Early Bird Raffle: Thomas Thrasher (Huntington Beach).
- Farthest Travel: Tom Herka from Tillamook, Oregon.
- Catch and Release/No Fish Raffle: Adam Crandel (West Covina)
- Trash Collector Raffle: Natalie Grider (Lancaster)
- Basket Raffle Winners: Trace Boom (Bishop), Kevin Coda (Bishop) and Westin Dondero (Bishop)
The Bishop Chamber of Commerce is grateful to the many volunteers and co-sponsors of the event including: Alex Printing, Alta One, Ann Maries Kitchen and Bath, Back Alley Bowl and Grill, BeeGee Beauty Supply, Berkley, Bishop Automotive Center, Bishop Country Club, Bishop Lions Club, Bishop Real Estate, Bishop Veterinary Hospital, Booya Clothing, CDF/ Owens Valley Camp, City of Bishop, Convict Lake Resort, Costa, Dr. Slick, Eagle Claw, Eastern Sierra Propane, Eastern Sierra Realty, Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair, Fish Taco Chronicles , 5-B Fishing Club, Grocery Outlet, Hendrix, High Country Lumber, Home Lumber, Inyo County CPSP, Inyo County Probation, The Inyo Register, KIBS/KBOV, The Knife Joker, Liquid Assasins, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Mac’s Sporting Goods, Mahogany Smoked Meats, Manor Market, Mountain Apparel, Northfork Outfitters, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Peak Productions, Preferred Septic & Disposal, Reagan’s Sporting Goods, Sage to Summit, Sierra Maps, The Sierra Reader, Sierra Slammers, Sierra Wave Media, Southern California Edison, Tom’s Place, Turner’s Outdoors and Wanaaha Casino.
“We had so much fun and we’re already looking forward to next year. We hope everyone will mark their calendars now for March 11th, 2023!” states Bishop Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator April Leeson.
