Rotary Ice Fishing Derby Well Attended

The Sheridan Rotary Club’s Third Annual Ice Fishing Derby at Lake DeSmet on February 25, according to the organizers, was a huge success. It was a warm, sunny day and the cold winter froze the lake, making the ice thick enough to be safe.

Megan Powers, event organization for the Rotary said that there were 325 registered anglers, but there were challenges this year.

She added that due to the wind earlier in the day, the helicopter did not make it up from Casper to give helicopter rides as they offered to a raffle winner last year.

David Oakes, Sheridan Rotary, gave Powers a lot of credit for organizing the event, and commented on how the fishing was.

He also explained about the different categories of fish, and what it took to win the $1000 first prize.

Brandon Miller, Gillette, caught the longest trout, a 26 ½ inch lake trout. It was not as large as last year’s winner, which was a 29 ½ inch brown trout, However, Miller was pleased with the derby this year.

Winners in each category were: Trout- Brandon Miller 26 ½; Michael Maurer 22 ¾ and Eli Davidson 20 3/8: Perch– Wyatt Wittkop 8 ¼: Guy Ferris 8 and Don Derryberry 7 5/8. The lone Walleye caught measured 6 ½ inches and was caught by Tell Dyer.

Although Miller won the $1000 for the longest trout, which gave him a chance at the $25k prize, but he did not win it. Oakes explained how the grand prize works.

The last two digits of the weight of Miller’s fish was 95, and the per-selected number was 23.

The Rotary Club felt the Derby was a success this year. It raised approximately $28k and that money will be utilized for the local communities. The Rotary would also like to thank Johnson County, who plowed out the roads into the Mikesell Potts Recreation Area, and the Buffalo Lions Club for letting them use their building as the headquarters. Thanks to all. The Rotary is planning on the fourth annual ice fishing derby in 2024.