What a difference a week and 20-degree warmer temperatures make. Following several previous days of near-zero weather, Saturday’s conditions during the 2009 Lions Club Perch Derby at Chenango Lake seemed almost Spring-like. And the anglers came out in droves because of it and the chance to pocket some prizes and cash.

In all, 646 registered anglers tried their hand at catching the first tagged perch, and although many perch were caught, none wore the special tag. So the $1,000 donated by NBT Bank, was given away by a drawing of registered anglers at the end of the derby. The average length of the largest perch measured every 15 minutes was 11 7/8 inches, while the largest perch of the day was 14 _ inches, caught by Shawn Cummings who received a $150 prize. The largest pickerel of the event was caught by Hunter O'Connor and measured 25 _ inches. Hunter’s toothy catch also won him $150.