[epic]

Where can I find information out about this tournament? The only information I can find on this tournament is:
"The $25,000 Trout Tournament is sponsored annually by the City of Aurora at Aurora Reservoir. MAP A single tagged trout is worth $25,000 if caught on the day of the event along with lots of other prizes awarded to a variety of age groups. The event is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2005."

They say this is an annual tournament, I'm new to Colorado anyone that fished it before can give me a heads up on the rules and restrictions? Costs? ect.

 

[Zman]

I have fished it several times and it usually has a pretty good turnout. Some details in my mind are sketchy (it's hell getting old) but here goes...The fee I think is $25 and the contest starts when the gates open...I think that is 5;30 or 6 am in May...I think it goes until 3 or 4 pm...it is the one day out of the year you can leave at the reservoir overnight...it costs an additional $5 and they give you a red plastic cable tie like dealy to put on your boat...there is a stated time period on Friday you have to bring your boat out and it is like between 3 and 6 pm...they let you beach it at the swim beach...last year I thought it would be great if I got out there at 3 and fished until close and then beached my boat...they wouldnt let me do that it had to be there by the 6pm deadline...I fish Aurora a lot and love it dearly and the rangers out there are great and have a tough job with the public...but some things like that a little common sense would give them some good PR which they could use some help on...but it is their monopoly and they run it as such enough of my soapbox...any way back to the contest...they have adult and kids prizes...they have pretty good prizes for the largests trout...I think they have prizes for like the 8 or 10 largest trout...usually a fish in the 3 to 4 pound range will take the top prize (the top prize in the past has been a 12 foot Lund/trailer/electric motor package donated by Aurora Marine)...there are much larger trout in the reservoir the largest I have caught was a 10.25 pound rainbow...I always thought it was kind of sad that the only fish in the contest were trout which doesnt promote the fine walleye/smallmouth/wiper fishery that exists out there but again that is another soapbox of mine...they also have door prizes and food stands...no one has ever caught the $25,000 tagged fish during day of the contest but someone did once later in the year...I think it is worth $500 during the rest of the year...I believe they tag like 50 fish a week before the contest...they go catch them all over the lake...I think like 3 tagged fish were caught last year which allows you to go select an envelope that has a prize...which hopefully is for the $25,000...it is pretty fun day and I would recommend going even if you do not have a boat...I caught my big trout from shore off the dam so anything is possible out there and there is plenty of space if you are willing to walk or better yet ride a bike...if you take your boat it is electric motors only so there are no jet or water skis...A GREAT THING...well I hope that wasnt too confusing and I think it is 95% accurate...

 

[epic]

Thanks zman!
One more question, how are the fish tagged?

 

[James]

last year the fee was $22 if you regestered early. I got my form from the sportsmans warehouse in loveland. The contest went from 6am - 3pm. There is a limit of 2 trout at Aurora resevoir. Last year it was held on May 22, this year it's on May 14. Plan on a crowd, we walked all the way to the oppisite side of the resevoire, and were still elbow to elbow. The other problem was boats snagging our lines (we were shore fishing). They were supposed to stay 150 feet away, but often came within 25 feet. All in all, it was a fun time. We fished as a group from Estes Park, and we're making a return visit this year. Good Luck.                                                                                                                                One more thing, if you have'nt fished Aurora before, bring plenty of water and light clothes. There are few trees, and very little shade.

 

[James]

Last year it was a narrow pink tag (about an inch long) on the dorsal fin. We watched a guy bring in one, who later told us he got a prize for first tagged fish of the day. It was $, but I couldn't tell you how much?

 

[epic]

Is there a price for childern?
I've never fished Aurora, being from the springs its easier to stay down here or break out the fly pole and hit the south platte or arkansas or pueblo res then trying to head up there. =P
This is great information you guys have given, I'll more then likely be bringing my son (11 yrs old), my friend, and his daughter(11 yrs old) and have some fun.

 

[epic]

Bored at work thought of another question...
Is it catch and release?, Do you get pentalized if fish die?

 

[James]

I'm not sure about prices for kids. The info last year stated that they only took the 1st 750 entrants. I would assume then, that they do charge. However, they did have seperate catagories & prizes for kids. One of the guys who went with us was 17, and paid full price. If yours are in the 12 & under group, they should have a good chance. I don't think there were alot of children there last year. The rules stated last year were pretty clear that fish had to be alive for weigh in (which you cuold do through out the day {before 3:00}), However, after that, I'm pretty sure you can keep them. I think they just have to be alive so they know you just landed them. I hear they watch pretty close the days prior to the contest. In the entry last year, you had to sign that if a winner you cuold be subject to a polygraph. I'm not joking.

 

[epic]

Its really a shame, that we as a people have become like that. =( Cant even go to a fun fishing event and fish without people trying to play an angle. Like what happened this last week in the BASS tournament, some dude drew 153 boat order out of like 155. So during practice he was sight fishing and hooked a couple spawning bass. Which when hooked once tend not to bite again for a while. He did this so the boats out before him couldnt catch those fish, since they would get to that spot before him. Its not illegal just unethical in my opinion.

 

[James]

thats bad, but at least he wasn't filling his fish w/ sinkers (before weigh in) like some guy in a Florida tournament last year.

 

[epic]

That happened with the last BASS record for US, they caught the bass weighed it confirmed it took it to the taxidermist and when they cut it open there was a 5 ounce weight in its stomach. When they minused the 5 ounces from the weight it was like 2 ounces short from the record. But the angler that caught it didnt add the weight, it was attached to a hook and stuff so they atleast didnt cheat. Just one of those DRAT THE LUCK moments.

 

[James]

Has anyone seen entry forms for this contest yet? Do they have them at Aurora?

 

[cancun]

I talked with a ranger on the phone yesterday ( 3-5 ) and he said they are still getting it all together, and that May 14th was planned but not set in stone. hope that helps. you can also check under the city of Aurora's web site. right now it still says to keep checking back for more details..

 

[cancun]

Change that, the registration form is available online today..

 

[epic]

do you have a link for that??

 

[cancun]

ePiC, I dont know the link, but I just went to yahoo and typed ( city of aurora) and it came right up. good luck

 

[cancun]

I forgot to tell you once your in the Aurora site go to the parks section. I'm sure you would have found it though.

 

[epic]

http://www.auroragov.org/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&ssDocName=007834&ssSourceNodeId=823
is the link if anyone esle is interested.

 

[James]

cancun, epic,        8)        Thanks, I'm really stating to jones for that contest.

 

[Pitbull]

so how did it go i see none of you won....lol i didnt know they had a tourney down here every yr im gonna have to get into that in 06