Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

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The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

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Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)

Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)

Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)

Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)

Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)

Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)

Clusters of colorful huts surrounded with a variety of activities appeared on Saratoga Lake’s icy surface as fishermen gathered for the 2011 Ice Fishing Derby sponsored by the Saratoga/Platte Chamber of Commerce. The 28th annual Derby recorded 465 adult anglers and 51 Small Fry along with their families enjoying the mild temperatures and camaraderie as they waited hopefully to land a big fish along with some of the over $6,000 in cash prizes.

Desmond Rivera of Cheyenne, Wyo., caught the biggest fish of the derby winning $2,000 for him. The 24.3-inches long, 13.6-inches girth combined totaling 37.9-inches and weighing 5.7 pounds won $2,000 for Rivera.

Kirk Hildreth of Littleton, Colo., took second place, winning $1,000, with his 5-pound trout, with a combined 23.4-inch length and 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.65 inches. Third place prize of $500 went to Jack Malick, of Sterling, Colo., with his 23-inch long plus 13.25-inch girth totaling 36.25 inches, and weighing 5 pounds.

The Small Fry winner, Mitchell Leitner of Thornton, Colo., received much attention for winning first place for the second year in a row. Eleven-year-old Mitchell’s fish weighed 2.9 pounds, with a 20.1-inch length plus 10.5-inch girth totaling 30.6 inches. Mitchell won a $200 Savings Bond and a loaded Tackle Box.

The first Bounty Fish was caught early Saturday morning winning $500 for Robin Humphrey of Thornton, Colo. The second Bounty Fish earned $250 for Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, Colo. Bounty Fish had been marked by pink tags on their dorsal fin, and were not eligible for hourly or other prize money.

Adult hourly winners received $100, while Small Fry hourly winners won $20 for the biggest fish measured during each hour. Prize-winning fish were excluded from the hourly payoff.

Hourly drawings were also held for door prizes provided by area merchants. Winners’ names were posted on a board at Derby Headquarters and word usually spread quickly to the lucky recipients. Brad Leitner of Aurora, Wyo., won a Coleman camp stove for the special final door Prize of the Derby.

Two new contests added for the 2011 Derby were the “Best Hut” Contest and the “Best Fishing Story” Contest.

Vince Hytrek, of Saratoga, Wyo., won Braggin’ Rights for the most creative, eye-catching and yet still legal fishing hut with his wooden “home on ice” featuring a picture window made from a vehicle sun roof, and landscaping that included two evergreen trees, and a snow-sculpture of an ice-fisherman. He received a colorful certificate (suitable for framing) and his ice hut will be posted on the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce web set.

The “Best Fishing Story” judging was not to be done until after the Derby, but the winner will be notified by February 1. A video was taken while the two minute stories were told to the Official Judge in the Derby Tent. The winning video will also be posted on the Chamber of Commerce web site.

The large number of prizes made for many happy fishermen. Many other participants caught fish for their dinner, or simply enjoyed the moderate weather and visiting with family and other fishermen over the weekend.

For more information, please call (307) 326-8855 or go to the Saratoga/Platte Valley web site at http://www.SaratogaChamber.ingo. (Note: if the 2010 version comes up click the Annual Events link, or if “index.htm” is listed try that source.)