photo by Adobe AI
Area fisherpeople compete for prizes in the first Center Road Pothole fishing tournament.
HARDWICK/GREENSBORO – Jeff Montgomery announced a very successful first annual Center Road Fishing Derby, made possible by the summer’s flooding that flushed millions of smaller fish from Caspian Lake into Center Road potholes, where they’ve been able to grow to incredible size with little competition in the hundreds of potholes.
Thin ice this year due to a mild winter had Montgomery and other organizers ready to cancel the traditional Caspian Lake derby when Hardwick’s Road crew suggested they could delay repairing the potholes and block off center road on Saturday, March 27.
Hardwick Town Manager, David “Opie” Upson signed off on the idea after a heated select board meeting at which Chair Eric Remick argued that it would establish a negative image for the town. Select board member Danny Hale countered that, “It’s about time we do something to attract some of that fishing revenue from Greensboro. The tourist revenue might even help offset the school funds we send their way.”
Derby Champion, Ken Eastmen of East Hardwick, in accepting his award for the world record six pound, two ounce yellow perch said, “it usually takes a few hundred of them to get me and Pat through the winter, but this will freeze up well and just a few should do it for next winter.”
Eastman’s catch bested the previous world record of four pounds, three ounces and the Vermont record of two pounds, six ounces.
Other competitors hauled in brown, rainbow and lake trout far larger than anything ever caught in Caspian Lake and Eligo Pond.
Due to the success of the event, both Greensboro and Hardwick have agreed not to fix the potholes this year.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has confirmed that state fishing regulations do not apply to potholes so the road will be blocked off for fishing from the ballfield at the four corners in Greensboro to Porter Brook Road in Hardwick every Sunday when state fishing season is closed.
Lincoln Miller, owner of Hardwick’s Riteway Sports said he is enthusiastic about his shop being closer than Willey’s to most of the hottest fishing action.
