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The show must go on

Republic Sportman’s Club Fishing Derby set for weekend

Jim Brennan, chairperson of the Michigamme River Basin Authority, is assisted by Stephanie Oakley as they close the Michigamme River Dam on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Kim Caliguri Isaacson)

REPUBLIC — After concerns over water levels and a delayed permit request, the 27th annual Republic Sportsman’s Club Fishing Derby is finally all set for this weekend.

Jim Brennan, chairperson of the Michigamme River Basin Authority, said the director of the Department of Environmental Quality in Lansing finally gave the go-ahead to operate the Michigamme River dam on Wednesday, after a lengthy delay.

“We filed for a permit to operate the dam with a lease agreement with the Republic Mountain Lake LLC,” he said. “Due to the water levels, it will help get boats through the channels, but it won’t give us the full amount of water we needed.”

On Friday at 6 p.m., there will be a “Pirates of the Michigamme” parade down the main street of Republic. Live music from the Prusi Brothers and the opening of the beer tent at the park will be held from 7-11 p.m.

On Saturday, the beer tent will be open, along with live music from Spun, a bonfire, and fireworks at dark.

Anglers move along the river during a previous fishing derby. (Courtesy photo)

“It’s a good half-hour fireworks display,” Brennan said. “There’s live music, it’s just a good community affair here.”

On Sunday, there will be more live music and at the end of the derby, cash prizes and trophies will be handed out.

Fishing begins Saturday at 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pre-registration for the event will be held Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Beauty Nook, and at the Pine Grove from 7-10 p.m.

Entry fee is $20 for 17 and older, $5 for 12-16 years old, and free for 11 and under. Participants are reminded not to forget flotation devices for each person involved.

As opposed to previous years, participants will be able to fish offshore along the river and in School Lake, as long as they bring the fish in alive to be weighed.

There will also be a duck race on Sunday following the derby, which will be sponsored by the Republic Fire Department.

For fishing license fees, check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.

For more information, call 906-376-2456 or 906-376-2252.

Justin Marietti can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 245. His email address is jmarietti@miningjournal.net.

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