2011 Scofield State Park Ice Fishing Tournament
Zero degrees. It was ten degrees warmer than last year, and 30 degrees warmer than the year before as the Annual Ice Fishing Tournament at Scofield State Park in Utah began. One hundred, ninety-nine anglers in heavy boots and coveralls spread out across the fog drenched, frozen reservoir in hopes of catching the biggest rainbow trout of the day. We waited. And waited. And waited.
The weather reports predicted a large snow storm for the area, but it never came. The sun came out, thawed poles and raised hopes. A few small bites and some tiny fish were all anyone could get that day. But we were all winners, as one angler said, to be out on the lake with our friends and family, doing what we love on a beautiful day. Indeed. Then, as the deadline for the tournament approached, it was clear that we would literally all be winners, since the park had more than $1,000 in prizes to give away to the 200 participants! A fourteen and one-eighth inch rainbow trout took home the grand prize, a $300 gift certificate to Sportsman's Warehouse. The largest fish brought in was a six pound tiger trout, a great catch, but not qualified for the rainbows-only tournament.
I'd never been to Scofield State Park before and didn't know what to expect. I'm convinced now this is an angler's paradise. It's nestled in a high mountain valley, an hour away from the nearest city. Rolling mountain slopes slowly rise on all sides. The sleepy town of Scofield lies nearby and coal train will occasionally meander through. If you really want to get away from it all and focus on the fish, head to Scofield.
Published: 01/22/2011
