Reeling for Recovery ready for ice fishing

DANNEMORA | If you told youngster Brady Bennett, reigning King of the Ice, that "you can't catch 'em on the couch," he'd laugh. He's built a couch on a frozen lake. "So you physically put the couch on the lake?" ice angler Jeremiah "Jerry" Haley asked the champion in a recent video interview. "Yeah," Brady shrugged. "I've built a couch on the lake. We've done it twice." Brady advised Haley that he's going to switch bait at the Reeling for Recovery (R4R) ice fishing derby this year, maybe try for walleye or pike instead of trout. The young angler won big last year with his 18-plus pound fish pulled from Chazy Lake, catching top honors. Founded by Haley in 2017, the derby is held in memory of two of his friends, Aaron and Kyle, both anglers, who lost their lives to addiction related illness. "My premise was and still is: Get kids hooked on fishing," Haley told The Sun as dates for this year's R4R approached. "I would rather have kids learn how to fish. When you're on the water, your problems don't seem to matter. "Since 2017, we have donated all the proceeds from our derby to help the Champlain Valley Family Center. For those who are not familiar with them, they have one of the largest recovery programs in the Adirondacks. They work with schools, youth, families and the community to provide education, and support with all levels of counseling around substance use prevention." EVERYONE IS WELCOME On Feb. 24 and 25, Reeling for Recovery welcomes friends, families, visitors, anglers of all levels and even non-anglers, to check in on the frozen surface of Chateaugay and Chazy lakes. So far, the frozen surface has remained solid on both waters. "This year's been kind of a tough year for ice fishing contests in general," Haley said. "A lot of the larger bodies of water like Lake Champlain, Lake George and even Tupper Lake have had to cancel events due to poor ice conditions." Haley is keeping a watchful eye on ice. As of Feb. 9 it was about 12 inches. "At Chateaugay and Chazy lakes, we're at higher elevations. We've not only had ice, we've been able to grow it," R4R's founder said. "Ice depth over the last weekend was over a foot on both lakes. There aren't a lot of lakes in the Adirondacks that have that. I've been taking the time to drive around the lakes every weekend and see if there are any spots of soft ice," Haley said. With dam management on Chazy Lake, the surface has remained steadfast and smooth. He's found some slush on Chateaugay. But weather in the 10 day stretch before the Feb. 24 derby is forecast to be colder than it's been this winter. "It looks like we'll be in good shape to have a safe event," Haley said. He provides updates on their Facebook page: facebook.com/reeling4recovery This year, for its sixth annual, R4R has redesigned the live pool used to keep the fish. "We really care about the fish that come out of the waters here, "Haley said. "We've had really good success with returning fish. The derby typically draws about 250 people to northern Adirondack ice. The activity hub is based in the Sorrell-Woodward American Legion Post No. 1623 at 3909 Rte. 374 in Lyon Mountain. "On Saturday, Feb. 24, the judges stations open at 5 a.m. on both lakes, and cash for biggest fish prizes are awarded every two hours," Haley said. "We have a lot of stuff going on. You can come support the cause without stepping foot on water. You can come for the meal on Sunday, the raffle and auction and other activities. We have door prizes for everyone. "All are welcome," Haley said. "For kids that don't fish or if you want to take your family for some outdoor fun, we'll have free hot dogs, fresh french fries, and hot cocoa from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Legion." This year, artisans from E&E Creations will be there on Saturday to provide free painting activities from 1 to 2:30 p.m. People who want to paint can register online: reelingforrecovery.org/contact "From 2 to 3 p.m. Travis Ducatte will being doing a live magic show for kids," Haley said. That is also free. "The best things in life are free," Haley said. "In the evening on Saturday, we're going to have Josh West playing music from 5 to 9, and we will be giving away a Jackson kayak." Over 40 Silent Raffle baskets will be on display for people to bid on throughout the derby. R4R Day Two is Sunday, Feb. 25. The judging stations open at 5 a.m. and close at 3 p.m. A roast beef and turkey dinner at the Legion begins at 2 p.m. and costs $10 for folks who aren't registered in the derby. At about 4 p.m., the Reeling for Recovery Live Auction begins with hunting trips, fishing trips, mounts, fishing electronics, custom deer mount certificates, water fowl guide service, and custom corn hole boards, among other items. Ice fishing winners will be announced that evening, along with their choices for top prizes. TO CATCH A FISH Anyone looking to sign up for R4R in person can go to the Lyon Mountain Legion on Friday, Feb. 23, from 2 to 9 p.m. Sign-ups are already open online: reelingforrecovery.org/reeling2024 Last minute registration is open on Feb. 24 from 5 a.m. to noon at Patriot Bait & Tackle in Merrill. Derby registration is $10 for kids, $30 for adults, which includes entry for cash prizes. Cost to join the Lunker pool is an additional $10. Funds raised at the derby provide summer fishing camp experiences for 30 youth at no charge. The four-day Reeling for Recovery camp is held at Paul Smith's College, and scheduled to begin July 18 this year. So far, the non-profit organization has donated over $40,000 to local addiction recovery centers and given more than 300 fishing poles to local youth. To learn more about R4R events: reelingforrecovery.org

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Reeling for Recovery ready for ice fishing

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