The Southwest Voice

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  The 19th Annual Isabella Trout Derby presented by the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Troutkrilla/YUM is scheduled for March 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2008 and promises to be more fun than ever before!!

    On Thursday, March 13th we will begin planting over 15,000 trout all around Isabella Lake. On Friday, March 14th, we will complete the planting which will include 1,000 tagged trout worth anywhere from $20 to $10,000. All of the trout we plant are raised in Isabella Lake so they won’t be in shock from a long transport.
   

    NEW FOR 2008!! We have a third $10,000 tagged trout sponsored by Troutkrilla/YUM, our exclusive bait sponsor. Catch this specially sponsored tagged trout using YUM and it can be worth and additional $10,000 for a total value of $20,000. They are also sponsoring 10 more tagged trout each worth a $1,000 on-line shopping spree. Besides our normal raffle of camping and fishing gear, we will have a special raffle for prizes donated by national companies. These special prizes include a $3,000 Honda outboard motor, a 14’ Wilderness fishing kayak worth $1,000, two portable GPS units from Lowrance Electronics valued at $400 each, Costa Del Mar sunglasses valued at $150 each, rod & reel Combos from Shakespear/Pflueger and fishing line from Seaguar. The money from this special raffle will be earmarked for fishery improvement such as our Trophy Trout Program.

    Registration is easy. You can register on-line at www.derby.kernrivervalley.com. If you prefer, there is a printable application you can print out and mail in with your check or money order. If you are in the area, you can register in person at All Valley Satellites, 6424-A Lake Isabella Blvd, Lake Isabella. You can also wait and register at Derby Headquarters at the Moose Lodge, 6732 Lake Isabella Blvd beginning on Friday, March 14th. Register before March to save. Registration is $15 for an individual and $35 for a family as long as you register before March 1st, 2008. After March 1st, the cost goes to $20 for an individual and $45 for a family. You must be registered before 7 AM on Saturday, March 15th. Anyone 16 years of age or older is considered an individual.

    Isabella Lake is located 45 miles northeast of Bakersfield at the Southern end of the Sequoia National Forest and offers year round activities of all kinds. For more information, visit www.kernrivervalley.com or call the Kern River Chamber of Commerce at 760-379-5236 or toll free at 866-578-4386. For more info on the derby, e-mail derby@kernrivervalley.com.