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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – All decked out in his derby t-shirt, at 4 months Henry St. Clair is the newest member of the Catfish Derby organizing team.
Making his debut at a recent work meeting, Henry represents a new generation of anglers.
“I can’t wait to take him fishing,” said his dad, Matthew St. Clair. “In the meantime we’re getting him acclimated to what we do as volunteers to get everything ready for the crowd of anglers that will come in from all over California and the United States.”
Henry’s mom, Stacy St. Clair, agrees. “We want him to appreciate the value of community and to look forward to being a part of a long-standing tradition that brings people together in a wholesome, encouraging family environment.”
The Catfish Derby is on May 17, 18 and 19. It culminates on Sunday with winners announced and an old-fashioned barbecue held at the Northshore Fire Station on 12655 State Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks. Everyone is welcome.
Catfish Derby Chairman Dennis Locke said ideally 60 volunteers are needed for the three-day fishing event. “We had about 30 of our core volunteers show up at the North Shore fire station to help out last week.”
Each year volunteers gather several times before the derby begins to stuff and mail about 1,000 forms to former participants and then to prepare the individual registration packets for the kids and adults that pre-register.
“It’s a lot of work but with the support of our community volunteers, we’re always ready. This year will be no exception,” Locke said.
Along with additional supporters the core volunteers will join up again at the derby, this time to check everybody in, sell derby t-shirts, raffle tickets, weigh fish, enter data and attend to the many details that make the derby a success.
“We are blessed with a strong community of volunteers but we can always use a few more hands on deck,” Locke said.
Hailed as the biggest Catfish Derby west of the Mississippi and arguably the best-attended event of its kind in North America, the derby attracts anglers, their families and friends as well as hundreds more spectators who enjoy the family-oriented sport.
Locke said another big crowd is expected this year. “Most, about 65 percent, come from outside of Lake County,” he said. “Many are local, and many return year after year, like long time volunteer Barbara Higman. Her family has been fishing in the Derby for years.”
Higman said the derby is a tradition with her family. “My husband, Mike, loves the derby and is a past winner. Our son, Mike Jr., comes in from Lincoln every year to fish the derby. We usually have grandkids entered every year, too. For us and many others, it’s a family affair.”
The former owner of Euphoria in Clearlake Oaks, Higman appreciates the economic boost the county enjoys at derby time.
“Each year we publish a newsletter filled with ads and information that help our out-of-town guests get around,” she said. “We also hand out Lake County’s Destination Magazine and fishing regulations. It’s wonderful to see the hotels, resorts and campgrounds fill up; sales at our bait and tackle shops increase; people enjoying boating on the lake; and the restaurants, casinos and growing number of wine tasting venues get a boost from our annual tradition. Makes us feel real proud to know we’re contributing to our economy.”
Sponsored by the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association, President Camille Gouldberg said the money raised goes back into the community.
“We give scholarships, help our young people cover expenses for various educational endeavors, support our football and baseball teams, help seniors, donate to our local senior center and more,” she said.
For the anglers, there’s more than $10,000 in prize money awarded to the derby winners.
First place prize is $4,000; second place is $1,000 and third is $800. A total of 20 anglers will place in the adult category with prizes scaling down to $40.
There are also two categories for children, up to 10 years and 11 to 15 years of age. The kid prizes start at $100 and scale down to $10.
In addition, another $2,500 is given out in raffle prizes.
Locke said the Derby is a broad-based community effort, three days of gathering with friends from around the lake, returning families from near and far and new faces trying out the derby for the first time.
This year a celebrity weigh-in is planned with a few local celebs. District Attorney Susan Krones, Sheriff Brian Martin and District 3 Supervisor E.J. Crandell will join in on the fun.
“The derby is a big deal in our little town. It takes a town of volunteers to put on, but we love it,” Locke said.
To help out at this year’s derby or for more information, contact Locke on the derby line, 707-596-0248 or
