(Newswire.net — September 17, 2013) Big Bear Lake, CALIFORNIA —
TroutfesT is limited to 1,000 anglers so sign up early. Entry fees are $75 for adults and $50 for junior anglers (under 16 yo). TroutfesT will feature divisional prizes, blind bogey awards, raffle prizes, and a grand-raffle prize; a Klamath 16 EXW aluminum boat outfitted with a 40 horsepower Mercury FourStroke motor and EZ Loader trailer valued at $17,500. Goodie bags will be given to the first 600 anglers to sign-up. The divisional prizes are awarded based on the five heaviest two-day stringers taken in the Adult Male, Adult Female, Junior Male, and Junior Female divisions. There is also an overall Big Fish award given to the largest trout caught during the tournament.
The Big Bear Lake Municipal Water District along with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will stock the lake with nearly $15,000 worth of trout. Expect a lot of fish to be caught.
Anglers can fish from shore or any legally permissible vessel. Shore fishing access is limited on the south shore but unlimited on the north shore with miles of public access from the dam all the way to the cutoff. As long as you’re not fishing in the back of someone’s cabin, a private dock, or see a sign that says “No Trespassing” you should be okay. Anglers with a boat can drift fish or troll. Anglers set their boat upwind of the area they want to fish, drop their lures in the water, and drift with the wind, drift fishing. Trolling requires the angler to draw the lure through the water either by paddling the boat or using a trolling motor.
TroutfesT starts Saturday, October 5th and ends Sunday, October 6th. Registered anglers can check-in starting Friday, October 4th at the Big Bear Visitor’s Center from 4pm to 9pm. Late sign-ups will also be taken at this time. Check-in continues on Saturday, October 5th from 5am to 6am. It is recommended that participants check-in on Friday, October 4th. The competition starts Saturday morning October 5th at 6:30am, stops at 3:00pm, resumes at 6:30am Sunday, October 6th and ends at 1pm. The raffle prize drawing and awards ceremony starts around 3:30pm and will conclude no later than 5:30pm.