The 52nd annual Blake Jones Trout Derby is “in the books” and considering the challenging circumstances presented by Coronavirus, organizers have deemed it a success! In order to reduce risk to derby attendees, staff and volunteers, the Chamber cancelled the weigh-in and prize party and put all entries into one big raffle. “The fish had been stocked and prizes had been gathered,” explains Chamber Event Coordinator April Leeson. “We knew people wanted to fish and they love a chance to win prizes. We’re grateful we were able to modify this year’s event at the last minute.”
339 people entered this year’s contest. That is about two-thirds of normal. “Only a few people requested refunds and the vast majority were very understanding and gave really positive feedback,” added Leeson.
Each winner received a prize package containing fishing gear, apparel, gift certificates and more. Raffle winners in the adult category were: Roger Romero (Bishop), Mark Stringer (Murrieta), Matthew Larson (San Bernardino), Phillip Wayman (El Monte), Sergio Ramos III, Tommy Yeomans (Fullerton), Tony Seaman, Jr. (Lancaster), John Bishop, Bill Kujawa (Bishop), Mickey Jarvis (Bishop) and Aracely Garcia (Monrovia). Raffle winners in the youth category were: Jake Tibbett (Santa Clarita), Sabrina Sanchez (Pomona), Erick Gillette (Lancaster), Brenton Velazquez (Pearblossom), Eric Eddy, Jr. (Big Pine), Ruby Jenkins (Bishop), Chet Jenkins (Bishop) and William Hally (Lake Elsinore).
While the Bishop Chamber is the proud organizer of the beloved annual event, it’s important to note that many local and national businesses support the Blake Jones Derby by providing co-sponsorship funds and merchandise used for prizes.
2020 sponsors include:
| Alpine Signs/ 395 Store Ashley Furniture Back Alley Bowl and Grill Bee Gee Beauty Supply Berkley Bishop Automotive Center Bishop Country Club Bishop Veterinary Hospital Bite-On Blakemore TTI Booya BP Distributing Cal Fire City of Bishop Community Printing Dean’s Plumbing & Heating Dead Eye Outfitters Discover with Dr. Cool Dr. Slick Eagle Claw | Erick Schat’s Bakkery Filthy Anglers Fish and Fame Fish Sniffer Fish Taco Chronicles Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop Grocery Outlet Hendrix High Country Lumber Home Lumber Hook Up Baits Imperial Gourmet Inyo County Inyo- Mono Title Inyo Register Newspaper Jack in the box Keough’s Hot Springs KIBS/KBOV Radio Kmart KMMT Radio Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Line Cutterz | Liquid Assassins Mac’s Sporting Goods Manor Market Meadow Farms Country Smokehouse Mountain Title Company Mr. K Auto Mule Days Peak Productions Pizza Factory P-Line Preferred Septic Protroll Reagan’s Sporting Goods Reel Happy She Angler Sierra Reader Sierra Slammers Sierra Wave Media Southern California Edison Stoked on Fishing Turner’s Outdoors Wanaaha Casino |
The Bishop Chamber is already looking forward to next year’s derby – save the date, it is set for Saturday, March 13th.
