Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby Cancelled

Statement from the Beaverhead County Search and Rescue on the ice fishing derby.

“Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby” Not Authorized

The Beaverhead Search and Rescue and Tara Remely, the “Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby” chairperson, would like the public to know what has happened with the 2021 derby. Application was made before the 1st of July, 2020 for a January 17th, 2021 derby as required by the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. For the next three months the FWP gave her the run around and would not confirm the date for the derby or even commit to the derby. When Tara called again in December she was told the derby had not been authorized because of Covid19. At that point it became a mute issue for the S&R membership. Within the past week a Dillon community member called the FWP and wanted to know why the derby had been canceled. He was informed by Fish Wildlife and Parks that the derby was a go and yet as of January 7, 2021, there has been no confirmation to that fact sent to or presented to the Search and Rescue. Even if the unit was to receive confirmation today, it is too late to get tickets printed and sold, permission from the Bureau of Reclamation and get everything else organized to put on this event. We apologize for not being able to have this great event as we have in the past. However, it was out of our hands from the very beginning. With any luck and cooperation we will be able to resume the Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Fishing Derby in 2022. Thank you for your understanding and patience.