With about 18 inches of ice at Lake Viva Naughton, the Kemmerer Lions Club 40th annual ice fishing derby on Feb. 17-18 was a success. Around 275 anglers braved the freezing weather and blizzard like conditions to attend the event and have a chance to win cash prizes totaling over four thousand dollars.
The $40 entry fee benefits the Lions Club, which in turn helps the community. Lions Club Treasurer Brad Willford said the ice fishing derby provides a great economic boost to the local economy.
“In the dead of winter, we bring an extra 200 people into Kemmerer for a weekend. The hotels and restaurants were jam-packed Saturday night,” he said.
Local and regional businesses pitched in to help and Willford said they were grateful to their sponsors. The club’s proceeds go to worthy causes such as assistance with eye care to those in need, including eye exams, eye surgeries and glasses. The organization also offers scholarships and helps with community projects and events. Recently they helped the high school purchase a piano for the music department.
For the 40th anniversary the Lions Club had a special drawing, with one youth winning a Wyoming Game and Fish lifetime fishing license and conservation stamp. Thirteen-year-old Noah Stiefvater from Alpine, was awarded the prize.
Adults also had opportunities to win cash prizes including hourly 100-dollar big fish awards on both Saturday and Sunday. A $25 hourly award for kids under 14 years old was offered, and $300 and $200 daily big fish prizes.
The overall big fish award of $1,000 went to Jeremiah Johnson from Green River.
On Saturday, the big fish awards went to Zeb Shilcox from Green River, Levi Adams from Kemmerer, and Robin Clark from Diamondville. Sunday’s big fish awards went to Wes Miller from Kemmerer and Rich Antila from Grand Junction, Colorado.
The big fish caught by a woman was awarded to Sandy Crandell from Layton, Utah, who received $150. Youth big fish was awarded to Luke Hatcher from Lehi, Utah, and Kyson Jones from West Haven, Utah.
Kemmerer Lions Club President Mark Ristau said, “We are going to make it grow next year. I like to see the community come out and support the Lions Club.”
