LF feedback on idea for 5th Toothy Critter Derby

Post by **Mr.J.** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:39 pm

I know it's a full year away but with the annual Toothy Critter Derby is getting bigger every year, and at each event the return of anglers from previous years, and with each year I learn a bit more about organising events I have a question to pose about the possible format for the 5th annual Mr.J. Toothy Critter Derby

First some background, here's how much it has grown in 4 years

1st annual 6 anglers
2nd annual 13 anglers
3rd annual 27 anglers
4th annual 38 anglers

So I don't think it is unreasonable to think we could possibly hit the 50 mark.

That's a lot of people

I'm thinking of using this format next year

1, Maximum 50 tickets sold
2, Tickets bought in advance (no more searching the river and docks for me

)
3, Still 100% payout but with this extra twist....80%for the biggest and 20% for the smallest

At 50 people = $500 over 2 species is $250 each species with $200 to the biggest and $50 to the smallest of each. (is my math right?)

What do you think of this new format?

Post by **Jimmy_1** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:44 pm

Good idea for sure.

But I feel that extending it till 4:00PM would be a good idea.

Post by **troutnmuskiehunter** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:43 pm

Hey J.....formatt sounds good and here's my 2 cents...

It would be nice to see the annual Toothy Critter Derby move to different local waterways each year....i.e. Lower Ottawa River (Wendover???), Upper Ottawa River (Fitzroy to Brittania) and Arnprior and above as well as the Madawaska just to change it up a bit....

Why not do a vote to see if people would prefer to have the choice between 2 entry fees.... 1 for targetting pike only and another if they are targetting Muskie??

Extending the hours until 4:00PM may be too much as this will run well into the evening.....being a Sunday I think most people would want to be back home for dinner with their families and get their boat and gear unloaded in order to get ready to go to work the next day!

Post by **Tip-up** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:08 pm

TMH, you kidding? The toothy derby comes around once a year, knowing the date ahead of time I am sure you can swing almost a full day of fishing and beer with the guys following

Heck, I would give for an extra couple hours on the water! Maybe move the event to Saturday?

In tradition, keep it on the Rideau.

I like the idea of hitting the restaurant apres although a BBQ on site would be really fun and social as well

Payout for the smallest??

Looked like tons of fun again J, wish I could have come out for the day!

WOW 38 participants this year

Post by RJ » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:24 pm

J, You've done a helluva a job putting this together....good on ya fella...

A word of caution...you may be entering an area where this may be bigger than you want it to be....insurance... waivers...proof of insurance etc. will have to come into play at some point to protect yourself...this is a sad state of the world today but a reality...

Having never had the chance to fish one yet due to its timing, I've fished in and organized many days like it....to me they are a riot and stress free....

I'm unclear on how winners are determined....but once ya get more $$ involved....that WILL become an issue....it always does....

If it were me.....I'd push it back a month....have it on the Rideau....and drop the pike.....but that's me...

Good Luck with it J....it is something to be proud of.

RJ

Post by **troutnmuskiehunter** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:26 pm

Tip-up wrote:TMH, you kidding? The toothy derby comes around once a year, knowing the date ahead of time I am sure you can swing almost a full day of fishing and beer with the guys following Heck, I would give for an extra couple hours on the water! Maybe move the event to Saturday?

In tradition, keep it on the Rideau.

I like the idea of hitting the restaurant apres although a BBQ on site would be really fun and social as well

Payout for the smallest??

Looked like tons of fun again J, wish I could have come out for the day!

WOW 38 participants this year

Hey Tip-up....moving it to a Saturday is a stellar idea...not sure if you ever attended this derby

, but it ends at 1:00PM, then everyone has to load up and head to Broadway's in Barrhaven....then it continues with the socializing and prize give-outs along with beers/food for another 3 hours at least.....don't know about you, but it's a 1hr drive back home from there for me as well as for a lot of the other guys!!!!.... hope to see you out there next year

Some of RJ's comments are good!!

Post by **Hookup** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:38 pm

I was not able to make it this year... the format sounds about perfect... prizes for more of the top places would be an idea, but the simplicity of the system you have is what makes it a nice derby, vs a tourney...

I hope to be on the water next year with the 50 or so others..

Seriously, great that you're asking for feedback, but from the cheap seats here, do not mess with a good thing.

Post by **slop** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:45 pm

The only feedback I can offer is that the organizer(MrJ) is exempt from winning his own derby and almost half the raffle prizes like he did at last years event. Historically it is proven that Mr J has his butt handed to him at these toothy events but I'm still harbouring some resentment

Post by **Bucktail** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:56 pm

Hey Mr. J,

Having organized 3 derby's this year I can tell you that pre-registration simply doesn't happen... It's unfortunate, but people wait to see what the weather will be like, if their plans change etc...etc..

You may well get 50 people next year but you will have a hard time getting 50 to pre-register. They may buy tickets and not show up too, which may ruin the spirit of the event..

I would suggest you keep it as it is... get a helper to collect and pass out tickets at the second launch.

Post by **Bear** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:32 pm

Bucktail wrote:Hey Mr. J,

I would suggest you keep it as it is... get a helper to collect and pass out tickets at the second launch.

Agree with bucktail keep it the way it is,I shoulda known better to go over to the concrete launch, sorry J

Post by **Prairieboy** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:37 pm

J,

1st annual 6 anglers
2nd annual 13 anglers
3rd annual 27 anglers
4th annual 38 anglers

Doesn't look like you need to change a thing.

Cheers,
Rich

Post by **JRSuprstar** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:08 am

My 2 cents would be to keep it as is...don't fix what isn't broken

JR

Post by **Muzz** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:02 am

How about holding the event on a Saturday and run til 4 pm. Next day can be spent with family (or fishing). Same format with help collecting money at another launch.

Just a thought.

Muzz

Post by **Mikey** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:31 pm

Great job J! She's growin! A word of caution, (based on the RUMBLE experience)....keep it within your logistical limitations, otherwise all will suffer...high five buddy!

M

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:02 am

Mr J. Had intentions of participating but too many things on the go.

Right now your event is at the "fun" level. The bigger it is and more complicated it gets, it becomes work. More rules, more disputes, etc.
I would keep its size limited so you can manage the money and the attention the prize may draw and the places you can fish and meet at afterwards.
I've organized many things like this and although you have good intentions, they can get away from you. bigger doesn't mean better.