The fishing derby was started by Marilyn and Roger LaPierre in 1982, to honor Charlie Ferguson. His son, daughters, and the Ferguson family continue the tradition today. As a relative newcomer to the lake, I asked Gale Ferguson, son of Charlie Ferguson, to tell me about the tradition of catching rock bass for a small bounty.

He wrote the following:
The original intent of the derby was to promote a day or two of "family fishing" like Charlie always provided for the kids in the neighborhood. Rock bass were selected as they are so plentiful it's impossible to really impact the population. They are easy to catch (great entertainment for the kids) and their numbers must consume tremendous amounts of food which the regular bass, rainbows and lake trout compete for. Sunfish which are also numerous, easy to catch and colorful are specifically promoted as catch and release to again provide easy fishing for the kids.

The smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing has flourished in the last couple years (probably because of the cover provided by the milfoil) partially because it's possible to get the lure down to the fish instead of an immediate bite from a rock bass.

2008 Total Rock Bass entered 637 fish
The Dick & Dawn French Camp - Andrew French - 144
The Truax Camp - 110
The Petrovic Camp - 94
The Orford Camp - 78
The Ferguson Camp - 59
The VanSlyke Camp - 58
The Reilly Camp - 34

Largest Bass - 16 3/4 Inch Smallmouth caught by Matt Bresett (Petrovic Camp)
Largest Lake Trout - 1st place tie - Cody Syrek & Connor Girard (Dick & Mary Jane Jones Camp)
Largest Pan Fish - Cody Syrek - 10 1/2 inch Rock Bass (Cody also entered a 14" Largemouth Bass)
Youngest Entrant - Alexa H. - 5 years old (Neuroth Camp)

Awards and Trophies
Special thanks to Dan Estey and Rob Meyer for their work on water level control this weekend.
Plaques (fish design) created by Kim (MacKelvey) Walker at her Heirloom Tile Works in Maine.
Our continued appreciation to the Force family for providing the trophies for the Derby. They were beautiful, as always. Thank you.