2012 DPC

That's a Wrap!

The 2012 Ditch Pickle Classic has come to an end. We had a stellar year this year with 51 entrants and not a skunked team in the bunch. We fished two hot, sunny days on Lake Champlain and managed to pull smallies from the depths and largemouth from the shallows. It's hard to believe that a tournament hatched in our minds three years ago has gone from drawing 10 fishermen to 51 anglers dead set on sampling what Lake Champlain has to offer.

Past victories have come with largemouth bass pulled out of the Missisquoi bay area. This year the Grey Buggers (Steve Dobrin and Roland Tremble) used their years of experience on the lake to take the team win lifting smallies off a North Hero reef. Sounds like deep water fishing but Roland claims he threw a deer hair popper all day long. These guys spread the love taking home the small bass prize as well with a 4.5" smallie. Enjoy that new 3wt line Steve!




The Buggers weren't the only anglers catching fish. Tim Davis of the Swedish Pimples took the big pickle award with a 20" pig of a largemouth, and Kevin Favreau took home a new rod and box of flies for his 30" bowfin.

Here's the run-through of winners and prizes. Stay tuned for photo-dumps in the future.

Team Prizes:
1st: The Grey Buggers (Roland Tremble and Steve Dobrin) - A pair of Fishpond packs and $150 in Mountain Khaki cash

2nd: The Nymph Pimps (Ryan Beaulieu and Blake Hackerson) - Bugger Barns with flies and a $60 in Mountain Khaki cash

3rd: Tappin'dat Bass (Mike Kontos and Syd Marsh) - Pair of Buffs and $30 in Mountain Khaki cash

Individual Prizes:
1st: Roland Tremble - Lug Pro-model Rock River fly rod and reel combo.

2nd: Ryan Beaulieu - Solitude 5 fly reel

3rd: Syd Marsh - Orvis Clearwater fly reel

Exotic Category:
Kevin Favreau - 30" Bowfin - Fly Logic 8/9 Fly Rod and Vermont Fly guys box of goodies


Smallest Bass:
Steve Dobrin - 4.5" Smallmouth bass - 3wt Rio Fly Line

Big Pickle:
Tim Davis - 20" Largemouth bass - 4 Benjamins (someone jump this guy in the parking lot!)




A big thanks goes out to all the sponsors for this years Ditch Pickle Classic. Everyone that fished left with something thanks to donations from Green Mountain Troutfitters, Rock River Rods, Stream and Brook Fly Fishing, Vermont Fly Guys, Matt Crawford at Pale Morning Media, Damon Bungard at Jackson Kayaks, Vedavoo, Solitude fly reels, Mountain View, Applegate Farms, Mountain Creek Anglers, and Eric Larsen.
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51 anglers became Friends of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge this weekend. Can't thank you all for enough for that kind of support. Looking forward to next year already!



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July 14-15th, 2012
Missisquoi Bay on Lake Champlain
Swanton, Vermont

The time and place has been set for the 2012 Ditch Pickle Classic
 Catch-Photo-Release Fly Fishing Tournament!!

Check Back Frequently for Updates!




We're very excited to announce the 2012 Ditch Pickle Classic "Catch-Photo-Release" Fly Fishing Tournament on Lake Champlain!
The 2012 DPC will be held on July 14-15th on Lake Champlain's Missisquoi Bay in Swanton, Vermont.  The DPC is open to anglers of all ages and skill levels and competitive fishing has never been so much fun! 

You don't need a big fancy bass boat to fish the DPC either!  Kayaks, canoes and motor boats are permitted.  The DPC is a team event and we make every effort to pair people up with team mates and fill empty seats in boats.  Each team will have 2 anglers and if you want to be a 1-man team, you will be responsible for the team entry fee of $50.  If you are your own 1-man team, you must still have a co-rider to assist with photographic documentation of your catch!  We're allowing more than 1 team to fish from a boat as long as it's within reason.  Spectators may ride along or pilot a boat for a team.

Don't be scared off if you don't have a boat!  If you have a strong desire to fish in the DPC but have any apprehension what-so-ever, please send us an email to DitchPickleClassic@gmail.com or call 802-644-2214 and we'll do whatever we can to make it happen for you!  The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can get you set up!

The Ditch Pickle Classic is a not-for-profit event, and this year we will be donating a portion of registration procedes to the Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge is a grassroots nonprofit organization consisting of private citizens who provide volunteer and financial support to Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.  The mission of the Friends group is to promote a better awareness, appreciation, conservation and responsible utilization of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

Each angler's $25 registration fee will translate into a $15 year-long membership to FMNWR.  The remaining $10 will get each angler an official Ditch Pickle Classic t-shirt!  We plan to hold the BBQ at the Refuge Headquarters on Tabor Road, just down the road from the Larry Greene Access Area.  The official tournament "Weigh-in" will take place during the BBQ, so all entrants and spectators are strongly encouraged to attend the BBQ!

On Saturday the 14th, we will have our check-in at the Headquarters for the Missisquoi Wildlife Refuge on Tabor Road.  Click HERE for directions and info about the site.
We will be open for check-in as of 9am on the 14th.  The headquarters has plenty of parking for boats/trailers, and it is very close to our designated launch at the Larry Greene Access.
The Larry Greene Access is located on Rte. 78 and directions can be found HERE.
We are still working out the details, but we encourage competitors to arrive early for check-in.  We will have some basic items for sale such as flies, leaders, tippets, etc.  We're also working on some rod demos from Sage and Redington, so keep an eye in this site for updates!

Every angler must check-in prior to launching!  

Please stay tuned for more details !

2012 Team Listings
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1. "Go Bass or Go Home"
Steve Stanley / Jonathan DeBono

2. "Lucky Bassturds"
Brian Lang / Shreve Soule

3. "Nymph Pimps"
Blake Hackerson / Ryan Beaulieu

4. "Basscar"
Brendan Hare / Logan Sena

5. "Bassholes from South Central"
Denver Wilson / John Birkheimer

6. "The Wright Team"
Byron Wright / Parker Wright

7. "Tappin' dat Bass"
Mike Kontos / Syd Marsh


8. "Hair of the Dog"
Tom Getz / Arne McKinley

9. "Bass-O-Matic"
Graig Smith / Carter Glass / Andy White


10. "Caught Smokin' Bass"
Chris Samson / Chris "Sam Samson


11. "The Grey Buggers"
Steve Dobrin / Roland Tremble



12. "Inglorious Bassterds"
Jeff Dybinski / Dave Underwood



13. "The Dirty Hookers"
Chad Johnson / Chris Gratton


14. "The Chronic Basstabators"
Brian Price / Pat Cohen


15. "The Swedish Pimples"
Tim Davis / Jim Anderson


16. "The Lip Rippers"
Steven Riley / Lawrence Pyne


17. "Uncle Basstard"
Brendan Barden / Andrew Costagliola



18. "Bass Assasins"
Evan Collins / Mark Collins



19. "Good'Ole Fashion Bass Whippin"
Bob LaRose / Erik Poettker


20. "Bassman & Robin"
Ken Capsey / Kevin Favreau


21. "Kickin Bass & Takin Names"
Adam Collins / Ian Toof


22. "Microp Terrors"
Matt Crawford / Henry Rackliff



23. "Jackson Kayak"
Damon Bungard / Brian Cadoret



24. "The Kosher Dills"
John Dziedzic / Dan Dziedzic


25. "Basster Craftsmen"
Lars Cartwright / Kyle Cartwright









2012 Tournament Rules
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Please see official tournament rules HERE



Nearby Places to Stay
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Nestled within the Missisquoi Bay of Lake Champlain, Campbell’s Bay Campground provides a fun and relaxing atmosphere for all ages. We offer lakeshore cottages, RV and tent sites, boat and pontoon rentals, as well as a dockside gas station.

On Site Fully Stocked Grocery Store, Pay Phone, Laundry Facilities, Hot Showers, Trailer and Tent Sites, Cabin Rentals, Dumping Station, Wood and LPG, Boat Parking Rentals with or without power

Tent and RV sites with full hookups