NEW BERLIN – Landing a small fish is never fun. Spending a day braving February temps on an ice-covered lake has even less appeal, but hook the two ideas together and you end up with a fish tale of an event that has turned into a success story.

Soon enough, anglers from all points of the county will have the opportunity to get their winter fix of rods, reels and friendly competition at the 17th (mostly annual) Chenango Lake Perch Derby.

The much anticipated event has been scheduled for Feb. 7 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a postponement date penciled in for February 21.

The Derby of 2015 that is regularly enjoyed by a dedicated group of sportsmen was conceived in 1975 by the late Ed Caputo of Norwich. It was originally chartered as a fundraising event and the net proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

When Caputo approached Red Mayhood – founder of Mayhood's Sporting Goods – about the idea, Mayhood obliged and acted as the sole sponsor, donating supplies and an ice auger to the cause. From thereafter the Perch Derby would grow into a yearly post-holiday tradition, breaking up winter's monotony.

While the ACS no longer operated a local chapter, Mike Mayhood, current owner of Mayhood's and son of the late Red Mayhood, worked diligently to get the derby back on ice following a three year hiatus after the corporate pull-out.