Manitoba Catfish Invitational, Selkirk Manitoba

MANITOBA CATFISH INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT – AUGUST 7 & 8, 2010

 5 Largest Registered Fish Each Day – Fishing Hours (Both Days) 8:00am – 3:00pm

1)               Eligibility:  Must fish from boats.  Registration begins on Monday, April 5, 2010.  Registration forms may be dropped off at the Chamber or postmarked that day.  We reserve the right to limit entries.  If entries are limited, those received or postmarked THAT day will be placed on a waiting list. Each contestant must sign an entry/release form.

2)               Applications must be complete when registering or they will be rejected.  Tournament officials reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone.

3)               Entry Fees:  Entry fee is $500.00 Canadian per team.  Cash, money orders, Visa/MasterCard are accepted for entry fees.  All forms of payment will be deposited on the day the entry form is processed and confirmation of entry is sent to entrants.  Entries are non-refundable and may not be resold.  No team changes will be accepted after 5pm on July 30^th.  Team cancellations made after July 30th will not be refunded.  The committee may make exceptions and refund the entry fee if a replacement team is located and participates in the tournament.

4)               Replacements:  Only one team member can be replaced.  One member of the original team must fish. The replacement cannot be or have been on a team that has an assigned team number.  The replacement can be on the waiting list.  Team changes must be made in writing to include signature of both team members.  Changes in the team s may be made until 5pm on August 6th; however, there will be a $25.00 CAN charge for any changes made after July 23^rd.

5)               Promoters:  Tournament officials, sponsors and organizations assisting in the tournament operation, their agencies, agents, etc are not responsible for deaths, injuries, damages, liability, theft, fire or any loss of any kind to entrants.  By signing the entry form, you release all promoters, as defined, or any liability.

6)               Orientation Meeting:  Friday, August 6, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Tent.  At least one member of each team should attend.  Last minute instructions will be given at that time. Start times and check in times will be issued.

7)               Provincial & Local Ordinances:  All provincial and or local ordinances will be enforced.  A valid Manitoba fishing license is required by each team member.  Violations will result in disqualification.  Tournament Rule:  Only one single hook, BARBLESS. No treble hooks, stinger hooks or smelt hooks, etc.  Absolutely NO fishing is allowed unless both team members are in the boat.  Violations of this rule will result in immediate disqualification.  Fishing for Catfish in Manitoba is BARBLESS and CATCH & RELEASE ONLY.

8)               Boundaries:  Only on the Red River.  South:  From Red River Floodway spillway.  North: To Highway #4 Bridge.  Saturday’s launch is determined by a check-off on the entry form on first entry basis.  Sunday’s launch is a reverse of Saturday.

9)               Limits:  Tournament limit is 10 fish per team.  Only 5 fish may be registered per team per day.  All fish must be at least 12 inches in length.  Patrol boats will inspect boats randomly.

10)            Catch & Release/Measure:  Measure boats will be on the River. When a catfish is caught, teams will raise their flag (supplied at check in each morning) until the Measure Boat approaches.  Measure boats will be responsible for measuring each fish and recording the measurement and time caught on the team scorecard.  Each team will sign the official scorecard. Once signed, the Team agrees they will not contest the official measurement of any fish.  Once the measurement is accepted, the Officials in the Measure boat will release the catfish.

11)            Check In/Check out:  Check in boats will be in the water to the north and south of the boat launch.  Each boat will be required to pass by check in boat, with their team number visible.  Once team number is recorded by check in boat, team may proceed to launches to load out boats and return score cards.  Check in times for each team will be communicated prior to launch.  Late Check Ins will result in disqualification.

12)            Scoring:  Total length of 10 fish measured over the 2 day period. Any altered fish will result in disqualification. 

13)            Prizes:  Based on the total length for both days.  If less than 100 teams are entered, prizes will be reduced proportionately.  , prizes will be awarded as listed at www.manitobacatfish.com.

14)            Ties:  Ties are decided by the largest fish caught by length.  If there is still a tie, then by the next largest fish caught by length.

15)            Identification:  Team ID must be worn and visible at all times.  Each team MUST return their tournament ID when done fishing for the day.  Team number must be affixed to boat and visible.  Only 1 team per boat.  NO PASSENGERS.

16)            Protests:  The tournament committee or any contestant can protest any team, contestant, tournament official or decision.  The protest must be filed in writing with the tournament director no later than 4:00pm on the date of the incident.  The tournament committee appoints a 3-person protest committee to hear both sides of any protest.  The decision of the protest committee is final in all cases.

17)            Sportsmanship:  Competitors are expected to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation.  Disorderly conduct and drunkenness will not be tolerated.  No wake at Boat Launch.  Be courteous and leave adequate space between your boat and a competitor’s boat when anchoring.  On water tournament and public safety officials have priority at launch.  Any infraction of these fundamentals may be cause for disqualification.

18)            Patrols:  Officials are at many locations, observing teams.  Any sign of cheating may result in disqualification.

19)            Rules may be changed at the discretion of the Tournament Rules committee.  The rules committee consists of 3 tournament officials who are not fishing.  Violations of any rules may result in disqualification from the tournament.

20)            Rules adopted on March 24, 2010 by the Manitoba Catfish Invitational Committee.