Snow prompts Lynn bait shop to cancel ice derby

LYNN – Ippi’s Bait & Tackle Shop has canceled its Feb. 6 Superbowl Ice Derby on Sluice Pond.The annual event attracting hundreds of fishing enthusiasts will be held next year on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, according to shop owner and organizer Laura Ippoliti.”Due to all the snow in the parking lot of Briarcliff Lodge, there’s no place to park for the 100 anglers. And I don’t see it melting any time soon,” she said Wednesday. “The raffle tickets for the power auger will be sold at Ippi’s until the derby next year.”Besides, temperatures leading into the weekend were expected to be above freezing, she said.Last February, the Superbowl Ice Derby brought 87 an-glers and dozens of spectators to the frozen pond. After taking 10 percent for the pond fish restocking fund, the derby fees amounted to $810, which was divided among the winners of the heaviest fish in four categories: trout, bass, pickerel and salmon. Since no pickerel were landed, the remaining three anglers each took home $270.Ippi’s, 5 Parkland Ave., will sponsor its annual Flax Pond fishing derby on Flax Pond on Sunday, Feb. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.For information on upcoming local fishing derbies, call Ippi’s at 781-596-0317 or go online to www.ippisbait.com.