Broadwater Rod and Gun Club
2024 Walleye Derby
Broadwater Rod and Gun Club Walleye Derby
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******* Entry fee is discounted to $100 if postmarked or received by July 1, 2024*******
HURRY AND GET YOUR ENTRY in BEFORE JULY 1, 2023 to save $50.00!!!!
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July 20, 2024 (8:30am-2:30pm) on Canyon Ferry Out of Broadwater Bay near the Silos
Maximum 90 2-person teams Forms can be found at www.broadwaterrodandgun.com
Please fill out the entry form and include the $150 entry fee.
Make checks out to Broadwater Rod & Gun Club and mail to:
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PO BOX 641
Townsend, Mt 59644
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Official Rules of the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Derby
Saturday, July 20, 2024
1. Eligibility: Any applicant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult partner (18 or over). The derby committee reserves the right to refuse entry to any individual
2. Release of Liability: By signing the tournament entry form, all participants agree to the following Release of Liability. “We, in consideration of being permitted to participate in the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Derby, the tournament directors, and any sponsoring companies, entities and individuals, their heirs, successors, administrators, and assigns, from any and every claim, demand, action or right of action, of whatever kind or nature, either in law or equity, arising from or because of any bodily injury or personal injuries, known or unknown, death or property damage resulting or to result from any accident which may occur as a result of your participation in the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Derby activities or any activities in connection with the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club, whether by negligence or otherwise. We further release all officials, staff, participating sponsor companies, and agencies from any claim whatsoever on account of first aid treatment or service rendered to me during my participation in the tournament.”
This release contains the entire agreement between the parties herein, and the terms of this release are contractual and not a mere recital.
3. Rules Meeting: ONE CONTESTANT FROM EACH TEAM IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND A RULES MEETING on the evening before the beginning of the derby. The Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Derby rules meeting will be held at the Broadwater Rod & Gun Club 96 Canton Lane Townsend at 7 p.m., Friday, JULY 19, 2024
4. General: For the purpose of these rules, “Walleye: refers to all species of the genus STIZOSEDION (i.e. walleye, sauger, saugeye).
5. Regulations: Each entrant must possess a valid Montana fishing license. All contestants must observe the rules and regulations of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
6. Teams: Contestants must enter as two-person teams. Any change of team members must be approved by tournament officials and a new application must be signed. Only five people may occupy a boat during any tournament.
7. Derby Headquarters: Derby headquarters will be at Broadwater Bay, by the Silos.
8. Fishing Area: Fishing will be allowed on the entire lake. Contestants may not leave their boat at any time (except as allowed by specific permission of tournament officials or if lightning poses a threat to personal safety).
9. Derby Hours and Starting Procedures: Derby hours are 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The starting order will be announced at the rules meeting by the tournament director. The starting and check-in procedures will be determined by the officials at the tournament.
10. Foul Weather: The tournament officials reserve the right to postpone or cancel daily competition if in the opinion of the officials, weather conditions exist that pose a threat to the safety of teams and tournament personnel. Furthermore, the tournament director may declare a foul weather situation due to deteriorating weather conditions, after competition has already begun on any day of the tournament. If a foul-weather situation is declared, weigh boats and other tournament personnel may be recalled to tournament headquarters and participants must use their judgment concerning whether to seek safety or continue fishing. Unless team members are personally notified by a tournament official, it should be assumed that the tournament hours have not changed. Participants will be responsible for reaching the check-in point by the required time in a SAFE manner. At no time will any team be allowed to give their scorecard to any other participant to be turned in for official scoring. In the spirit of the tournament and good sportsmanship, individual responsibility and good judgment are essential to ensure your safety under any circumstances.
11. Inspections: Boats will receive an inspection before the start of the tournament. No boat may have walleye on board before the start of the derby. All boats in the derby must display and identify markings provided by tournament officials. Boats, tackle, and equipment may be inspected at any time before, during, and/or after the tournament.
12. Tackle: Artificial and live bait are allowed, except live minnows, which are illegal on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Each contestant must conform to the rules of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks concerning the number of lines permitted and methods of taking fish on a particular body of water. Spare rods and equipment may be carried in the boat.
13. Boat Operation: Each contestant is required to wear an approved Personal Flotation Device when the primary motor is running (except when trolling). All teams must depart by boat from the starting area under the direction of tournament officials. Team boats may not come within 20 feet of any other watercraft (except patrol boats). CB and marine band radios may be used for emergency transmission only. RECKLESS AND CARELESS BOAT HANDLING ARE GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION.
14. Fishing: The derby will be operated under a ‘catch and release” format. Teams will catch, and measure (at a measuring boat) as many Walleye as they choose; however, only the largest five (5) walleye per team per day will count toward a team’s overall score. Walleye must be a minimum of 13 inches in length to be counted. The official measuring boat will be positioned at Silos/Broadwater Bay Marina. Teams will not be allowed more than five (5) Walleye in the boat at any time. NO fish that cannot be released alive will count toward any team’s score, except for one trophy fish per entrant, which may be kept and recorded on the team’s score. Also, any team caught releasing fish that are dead or that will not survive will be disqualified. All measuring records are to be verified by a tournament official and a team member.
15. Scoring and Prizes: Daily scores will be the total measurement converted to weight of up to five (5) Walleye. These five (5) will be selected by the team from all of the fish measured and recorded for their team that day. Placing in the tournament is based on the total team score from the day of fishing.
16. Reporting Requirements: Records of fish caught must be turned in at tournament headquarters within one-half hour of check-in time.
17. Check-in Late Penalty: All boats must check-in at Silos/Broadwater Bay Marina regardless of whether the team has fish or not. The team number and arrival time will be recorded at the check-in station. Late arrivals will be disqualified for that day and will be eliminated from any big fish prizes. In the event of a backlog of boats at the check-in station, boats that have arrived before the check-in deadline will not be penalized.
18. Alcohol: Obvious intoxication will be grounds for disqualification.
19. Spirit of the Rule: This tournament intends to promote good sportsmanship and fair play. Unsportsmanlike conduct and cheating will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification. Interpretation of the rules shall be left exclusively to the tournament officials and all decisions are final.
20. Protest Policy: Only contestants and circuit officials have the right to contest the actions of another team or contestant. Protests by contestants must be filed in writing with the tournament director, in person, no later than one-half hour after the day of fishing. A $100 cash protest fee must accompany any protest offered by a contestant. A five-person committee appointed by the tournament officials will convene to investigate and decide regarding the protest. The protest committee and its agents are authorized to utilize polygraph examinations and any other investigative technique to determine the validity of the protest of the charge against any contestant. The decision of the protest committee shall be by majority vote and shall be final in all cases. Contestants waive any right to appeal the decision of the protest committee to a higher authority, including any court of jurisdiction in this or any other state. If a protest is found to be valid, the protest fee will be returned. If the protest is found invalid, the fee will not be returned.
Any person found violating the rules may be immediately disqualified and the reason for the said disqualifications announced at the tournament headquarters.
21. Withdrawal Policy: Entry fee refunds will be made only if the team gives written notification of withdrawal two (2) days before the tournament starting date. A service charge of 20% will be assessed against refunds made due to withdrawal from the derby.