Essa Riverbank Salmon Derby

Rules & Regulations 2008

 

1. All participants must have a valid Fishing License from the Ministry of Natural Resources. 

2. Participants agree to abide by the regulations of the Fish and Game Act, the by-laws of Essa Township, and the Rules and Regulations as set out by the Derby Committee.  (The Derby Committee is defined as “The members of the Economic Development Committee”.)
3.  Participants will be given a badge, which must be worn and visible at all times.
4.  Participants must agree to allow fish landed in the Derby to be subject to biological examination and testing by the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
5. The 2008 Salmon Derby will run September 20th & September 21st.  “Fishing Stations” will be open from 6am to 6pm on Saturday and from 6am to 2pm on Sunday.  All fish must be landed in the area described by the Derby Rules and Regulations. 
6.  Entrance Fee is $20.00 per individual.  The $40.00 Access Pass package includes the Derby Entrance Fee.  Children (17 years of age and under) may participate in the Derby if accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.  A parent or guardian must register a child’s catch in the Derby.  Only one prize can be claimed per ticket sold (entry).  Hence, both child and parent cannot register for two different prizes under one same ticket.  Entrance Fees must be purchased before any fish are entered in the Derby.
7. The grand prize will be awarded to the longest salmon landed during the Derby. The second prize will be awarded to the second longest salmon.  The longest salmon shall be determined by measuring the fish from the tip of the head to the fork in the tail.  In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the earliest salmon registered with the Derby Committee.  Third prize will be awarded in a Conservation Category to the longest total accumulated length for salmon caught and released during the weekend.  A maximum of two fish can be registered per day for the accumulated length prize.  The overall longest salmon at the end of the Derby will not be permitted in the calculation for the Conservation Category prize. 
8. Participants will be permitted to enter a maximum of two fish on Saturday and two fish on Sunday.  All fish to be released must be handled carefully.  All released fish are to be measured and witnessed by Derby Marshals in order to qualify as an entry.  (Derby Marshals are defined as Marshals working under the direction of the Nottawasaga Steelheaders Organization.)  The Derby Marshal’s decision on qualifying fish entries shall be final.  *Conservation is encouraged.*  
9. A fish may be entered only once and will be disqualified from re-entry by punching a hole in the gill plate of all caught salmon.  A fish must be “freshly landed” to qualify as an entry in the Derby.  A “freshly landed” fish may be determined at the discretion of the Derby Marshals. 
10. Participants must land their fish within the Derby boundaries as set out by the Derby Committee to be eligible for the longest fish.  No watercraft or floating device operated with or without a motor will be permitted in the Derby.  Any fish landed from a floating device or watercraft will be immediately disqualified.  The Derby boundaries will include the Don Ross Fishing Park (north of County Road 90) and the Nottawasaga Fishing Park (south of County Road 90 to where the Pine River joins with the Nottawasaga River).  No fishing is allowed on private property without permission being granted to the Derby Committee and all Derby participants.  Fishing on private property will result in disqualification. The Derby Committee now designates the land under the Bridge on the west side as designated land. 
11. The longest salmon will be the first salmon registered and measured at any one of the Fishing Stations. If a second measurement is required it will be conducted by the Head Marshal or his appointed designate.  All measurements are to be completed using an official fish measuring box.
12. All fish are measured by a Marshal. Measurements are reported to the Organizing   Committee. The Grand marshal and Organizing Committee will meet at the end of each day of competition fo finalize the reporting of all fish qualifying for the Derby.
13. Any disputes by contestants must be presented to the Derby Committee before close of the Derby.  In any dispute, the decision of the Derby Committee will be final.
14.  Derby participants will be entitled to only one prize.  All prizes must be accepted as presented.  Participants agree to allow the Derby Committee to take photographs of participants and their fish for promotional purposes.
15. If a fish is determined to be foul hooked (snagged) by the Derby Marshals, it cannot be entered in the Derby.  The Derby Committee shall, in their absolute discretion, be entitled to disqualify any entry for any reason or suspicion there has been a breach of the Derby Rules and Regulations.
16. No person who has been found guilty of contravening any section of the Fish and Game Act within the last five years is eligible to enter a fish or win a prize in this Derby.
17. Concerns regarding angler conduct or the landing or measurement of a fish will be taken under review by the Organizing Committee. These concerns are to be formally reported to the Committee using the Derby Feedback forms. A Derby Feedback Form is included in the Derby Registration Package. Derby Feedback Forms will also be available at Derby Headquarters. Feedback Forms must be presented in person to the Organizing Committee by 6:15 pm Saturday and 2:15 pm Sunday.
18. It is an agreement of entry that all entrants must release the organizers, sponsors and the Derby Committee and Marshals from any and all claims for damages and liability.
19. The Derby Committee and their families are eligible to register but their entry must be measured by an impartial observer and witnessed by another impartial observer.
20. A Top 3 Fish Listing Board will be posted at Derby Headquarters by the Organizing Committee. The Top 3 fish will be posted for the "Kept" and "Released" categories respectively.
21. Derby entrants will not be permitted to review any Derby records with the exception being the Top 3 Fish Listing Board. 
22. Prize winners must be in attendance at the Closing Ceremonies to claim their prize.