Hello, Blog Readers!
I hope you all have been experiencing some pleasant days. I am here today to announce the 2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks, which will be held on the Schuylkill Banks (between Locust and Walnut) on June 23rd, 2013.
A lot of people have been asking me about "parking" around the area. Therefore, here's a link for parking spots that are close to the Schuylkill Banks. I'll cite it once again in the rules, below. As you guys can see, there are plenty of parking spots close to the competition site, not to mention that it's FREE parking on Sundays! So, you guys can park on the read and blue lines on the day of the competition(Yay!).
The 1st Catfish Tourney on the Banks was a blast! Here's the link for the results of the first Catfish Tourney on the Banks.
Now, let's go for the rules and additional information regarding the 2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks. Interested Readers and Future Participants - please read it carefully!
1. The Event and the Rules (they may be subjected to changes at any given time).
A. The Event:
- The second official Catfish Tourney on the Banks will happen between the Locust and Chestnut Bridges on the Schuylkill Banks. The official date for it is June 23rd, 2013 (Sunday). In case of rain or weather issues, the "Rain Date" is set to be one week after - June 30th, 2013. Registered participants will be contacted through e-mail/phone one day prior to the event in case of bad weather and/or cancellation.
- The entry fee for the competition is $20 - cash only. The fee will be collected before the beginning of the competition, during the check in under the Walnut Street Bridge. Contestants may enter the competition individually or as a "team" of 2 - one child (15 years of age or under) and one adult. In the second case, the team will be treated as a single unit; therefore, the team is subjected to all the other rules as one unit (i.e. 2 rods per team; same bag per team; etc). Notice that this friendly tourney is profit-free. For more details, see the prize section; section 3.
- Public Transportation is available (Amtrak - Regional Rails, and Septa) through the 30th street station, and it's highly recommended. The distance between the site of the competition and the station is a 10 minutes walk. For cars, there's parking along the Walnut and Chestnut bridges, as well as parking around 26th and Locust and below. Here's a link for parking spots that are close to the Schuylkill Banks. Note that parking is free on Sundays!
- The minimum number of participants for this competition will be 15 people. If there are not enough participants (which is unlikely to happen), all registered competitors will be contacted 2 days prior to the competition about its cancellation, either via e-mail or/and phone. Notice that a higher number of participants results in a higher amount for the cash prize (see prize section; section 3). Therefore, invite your buddies to come. =)
- Instead of the traditional format of 6 a.m.-3 p.m., the 2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks will start at 9 a.m. sharp and end at 3 p.m. (lasting 6 hours instead of 9 hours). Therefore, it's highly recommended for people to show up 1 hour or half an hour prior to the beginning of the event for setting up a good spot! Late participants will not be disqualified; however, they will clearly have a disadvantage in terms of time. Therefore, plan your schedule carefully.
- Prizes will be awarded half an hour after the end of the competition, in situ. Therefore, the winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and "Big Fish") will immediately walk out of the event with their prizes (cash and other additional prizes). Notice that this friendly tourney is profit-free. For more details, see the prize section; section 3.
- Since this is a friendly competition, participants are free to leave the site at any given moment. There's a restroom and drinking fountain between Locust and Walnut on the Schuylkill Banks, and there is a Rite Aid on 23rd and Walnut in case anyone needs additional water or food. If there are small emergencies, participants may leave and come back, as far as they come back within the range of the competition (9-3p.m.).
- Kids (15 and below) are highly encouraged to participate in a team, and they don't require any fee to enter the competition (the fee is included with the adult). Also, according to the PA Boat and Commission laws, they are not required to have a fishing license in order to fish. One child per participant is the ideal case (note that the parent is responsible for his/her child's safety in situ - see the liability waiver in the e-mail registration form - section 2). The kid will be counted as part of its parent's "team," and the result of both will be summed as one.
B. The General Fishing Rules:
Note: All fishing participants will abide by all PA Boat and Commission regulations and safety guidelines.
- A PA fishing license is required for anyone older than the age of 15 (as the law states), and it must be shown at the check in - before the competition - and placed on an outer garment during the entire period of the tourney (9-3 p.m.). Participation without a license will not be permitted. The license can be purchased online or in certain stores (i.e. Dicks Sporting goods, Walmart, Bait Shop - Brinkmans bait and Tackle, Bob's bait and Tackle; etc).
- Fishing spots will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, no right to complain if one comes late! You are being advised, and you should time yourself for the event. Also, for more comfort and better fishing, anglers should stay at least 10 feet apart from each other. Chances are that there will be available spots for everyone.
- 2 fishing rods per Participant or team, 2 fishing hook per rod. Although the PA law states that it's legal to fish 3 rods per session and 3 hooks per rod, the competition will work on the 2 rod per person and 2 hook per rod rule with the purpose of preserving space for all participants. Anyone disrespecting this rule will be given an initial warning and a penalty of 5lbs on the total poundage of the bag. A second time will result in disqualification.
- The second official Catfish Tourney on the Banks will happen between the Locust and Chestnut Bridges on the Schuylkill Banks. The official date for it is June 23rd, 2013 (Sunday). In case of rain or weather issues, the "Rain Date" is set to be one week after - June 30th, 2013. Registered participants will be contacted through e-mail/phone one day prior to the event in case of bad weather and/or cancellation.
- The entry fee for the competition is $20 - cash only. The fee will be collected before the beginning of the competition, during the check in under the Walnut Street Bridge. Contestants may enter the competition individually or as a "team" of 2 - one child (15 years of age or under) and one adult. In the second case, the team will be treated as a single unit; therefore, the team is subjected to all the other rules as one unit (i.e. 2 rods per team; same bag per team; etc). Notice that this friendly tourney is profit-free. For more details, see the prize section; section 3.
- Public Transportation is available (Amtrak - Regional Rails, and Septa) through the 30th street station, and it's highly recommended. The distance between the site of the competition and the station is a 10 minutes walk. For cars, there's parking along the Walnut and Chestnut bridges, as well as parking around 26th and Locust and below. Here's a link for parking spots that are close to the Schuylkill Banks. Note that parking is free on Sundays!
- The minimum number of participants for this competition will be 15 people. If there are not enough participants (which is unlikely to happen), all registered competitors will be contacted 2 days prior to the competition about its cancellation, either via e-mail or/and phone. Notice that a higher number of participants results in a higher amount for the cash prize (see prize section; section 3). Therefore, invite your buddies to come. =)
- Instead of the traditional format of 6 a.m.-3 p.m., the 2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks will start at 9 a.m. sharp and end at 3 p.m. (lasting 6 hours instead of 9 hours). Therefore, it's highly recommended for people to show up 1 hour or half an hour prior to the beginning of the event for setting up a good spot! Late participants will not be disqualified; however, they will clearly have a disadvantage in terms of time. Therefore, plan your schedule carefully.
- Prizes will be awarded half an hour after the end of the competition, in situ. Therefore, the winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and "Big Fish") will immediately walk out of the event with their prizes (cash and other additional prizes). Notice that this friendly tourney is profit-free. For more details, see the prize section; section 3.
- Since this is a friendly competition, participants are free to leave the site at any given moment. There's a restroom and drinking fountain between Locust and Walnut on the Schuylkill Banks, and there is a Rite Aid on 23rd and Walnut in case anyone needs additional water or food. If there are small emergencies, participants may leave and come back, as far as they come back within the range of the competition (9-3p.m.).
- Kids (15 and below) are highly encouraged to participate in a team, and they don't require any fee to enter the competition (the fee is included with the adult). Also, according to the PA Boat and Commission laws, they are not required to have a fishing license in order to fish. One child per participant is the ideal case (note that the parent is responsible for his/her child's safety in situ - see the liability waiver in the e-mail registration form - section 2). The kid will be counted as part of its parent's "team," and the result of both will be summed as one.
B. The General Fishing Rules:
Note: All fishing participants will abide by all PA Boat and Commission regulations and safety guidelines.
- A PA fishing license is required for anyone older than the age of 15 (as the law states), and it must be shown at the check in - before the competition - and placed on an outer garment during the entire period of the tourney (9-3 p.m.). Participation without a license will not be permitted. The license can be purchased online or in certain stores (i.e. Dicks Sporting goods, Walmart, Bait Shop - Brinkmans bait and Tackle, Bob's bait and Tackle; etc).
- Fishing spots will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, no right to complain if one comes late! You are being advised, and you should time yourself for the event. Also, for more comfort and better fishing, anglers should stay at least 10 feet apart from each other. Chances are that there will be available spots for everyone.
- 2 fishing rods per Participant or team, 2 fishing hook per rod. Although the PA law states that it's legal to fish 3 rods per session and 3 hooks per rod, the competition will work on the 2 rod per person and 2 hook per rod rule with the purpose of preserving space for all participants. Anyone disrespecting this rule will be given an initial warning and a penalty of 5lbs on the total poundage of the bag. A second time will result in disqualification.
- For weight-in: there will be no fixed weight in station! Instead of the traditional weight-in system, which happens at the end of the competition, the weight-in for this specific competition will happen just after successfully landing the fish. After unhooking a fish, the participant should raise his hand (opened) and wait for me to arrive. I'll eventually be on "lookout" at the Walnut street bridge. If not, wait a minute or so and I'll eventually be there to properly measure and record the fish in terms of weight and length.
- There will be a penalty for mishandling fish. Every fish should be perfectly caught and released. In case the fish swallows the hook, the line should be cut. In case a fish is heavily injured and dies, there will be a severe penalty of 5lbs per incident. Catfish are tough fish; therefore, there shouldn't be any incidents! Therefore, follow the guidelines for safely practicing CPR
Note: a net is highly recommended for landing big fish (drop net or 8-feet long net). A Balzer fishing net will be available for "renting" at a cost of 1lb per fish. Believe me - you do not want to take chances by pulling a big fish by the line. Again, a drop net or 8-feet long net is highly recommended.
- Only Catfish (Channel, White, Flathead, Bullhead) will be counted as part of the tourney. Each participant can weight-in as many Catfish as possible from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The five biggest ones (lbs) will determine the final bag/result for given participant.
2. Registration
In order to register, send an e-mail to "sheng12182527@gmail.com" with the subject "2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks" or something similar.
After receiving the e-mail, I'll e-mail the person back with a formal Microsoft Word registration file (.docx) and liability waiver, requesting additional information and a digital signature. Once the person fills up the registration file and e-mail it back to me, the same will be officially registered in the tourney.
2. Registration
In order to register, send an e-mail to "sheng12182527@gmail.com" with the subject "2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks" or something similar.
After receiving the e-mail, I'll e-mail the person back with a formal Microsoft Word registration file (.docx) and liability waiver, requesting additional information and a digital signature. Once the person fills up the registration file and e-mail it back to me, the same will be officially registered in the tourney.
On site registration will be available on Sunday, June 23rd, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. I'll be under the Walnut street bridge with printed registration forms. However, I would prefer everyone to sign in in advance, since the event will not happen if there are less than 15 participants 2 days prior to the event!
3. Results and Prizes
The prizes will be distributed for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, as well as the "Big Fish" (biggest Catfish of the day).
Note that the Catfish Tourney on the Banks is a non-profit competition. In other words, Extreme Philly Fishing is absolutely making no money out of these events. 20% of the total cash amount is donated to a non-profit organization focused on environmental conservation and/or aquatic sustainability. In other words, $4 dollars of your registration fee goes directly to a non-profit focused on the well-being of the country. The other $16 dollars are pulled together for the cash prizes.
The prizes will be distributed as it follows (in cash):
- 20% of the total amount of money gathered in the tourney will go to a non-profit organization in PA or USA that focuses on environmental conservation and/or aquatic sustainability. Therefore, as mentioned above, the "Catfish Tourney on the Banks." is a profit-free event.
After subtracting 20% from the final amount of cash gathered, the prizes will be distributed as it follows:
1st place: 40% of remaining cash + 1st place Trophy
2nd place: 30% of remaining cash + 2nd place Trophy
3rd place: 20% of remaining cash + 3rd place Trophy
Big Catfish: 10% of remaining cash + Big Fish Trophy
Therefore, the minimum prize amount (based on 15 participants) for the 2nd Catfish Tourney on the Banks will be:
15 participants = $300
20% of 300 will go to a non-profit organization: $60
The remaining $240 will be distributed as it follows:
1st place: 40% --> $96
2nd place: 30% --> $72
3rd place: 20% --> $48
Big Catfish: 10% --> $24
Note: if, for example, the first place is accounted for the biggest Catfish of the day, that person will be taking $96+24, and he/she will be receiving both trophies.
If the number of participants are actually 25 instead of 15: 20*25= $500. The same calculation is performed. Therefore, the higher the number of p6articipants, the higher the amount of money distributed.
The non-profit organization will very likely be a local one. I'll request a formal e-mail from the non-profit to every participant after the donation is in, as a gesture of gratitude.
Alrighty! I'll see all participants next month. For those who are planning to participate - best of luck for you guys!
Long Days and Pleasant Nights,
Sincerely,
Leo S.