Beginners ice fishing clinic set for first day of Great Rotary Derby

The Meredith Rotary Club and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department have announced the second annual free beginner’s ice fishing clinic designed for youngsters 12 and under, but free to all attendees who wish to participate. The clinic will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 on the ice in Meredith Bay, near the Great Rotary Fishing Derby Headquarters trailer. A designated roped-off area will be clearly marked for the event and goodie backs will be available for participants.

The Derby itself will run Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10.

The program has been designed by Karina Jolles, coordinator for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s “Let’s Go Fishing” program, and the conductor of the clinic in 2007. The presentation will focus on a variety of fundamental elements, including why people fish; how to do it; how to drill a hole in the ice using an auger; how to rig and bait a tip-up; what type of bait to use; how to land and clean your fish; how to stay warm; and how to register to win big prizes.

The annual Ice Fishing Derby is one of the top fund-raising events in the state, bringing visitors to New Hampshire from all over the country. Fisherman, their families and friends come to New Hampshire in hopes of snagging the heaviest Meredith Rotary-tagged Rainbow Trout claiming the grand prize.

The Meredith Rotary Club, in consultation with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, as part of an ongoing fisheries management plan, stocks tagged fish in the following New Hampshire Lakes: Bow, Moore Reservoir, Francis, Little Squam, Mascoma, Massabesic, Ossipee, Waukewan, Wentworth, Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam.

The Derby has enabled The Meredith Rotary Club to donate more than $1 million back into the community for charitable projects, area improvements, scholarships and to people in need.

Tickets and more information are available by calling The Meredith Rotary Club at 603-279-7600 or visiting their website at www.meredithrotary.org. On-line ticket sales can be picked up at Derby Headquarters at Hesky Park by showing your on-line receipt. Telephone orders will be held at Derby Headquarters at Hesky Park in Meredith for pick-up upon arrival.

Derby Headquarters will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday, Feb. 8 and will open again at 5 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.