Event #1 - Forty Mile Reservoir
2022 SAWT Event Rules
CFE # - 608457

1. Getting Started

1. The SAWT - Event # 1 - Forty Mile Reservoir is hosting online tournaments run through Angler’s Atlas website and their mobile app MyCatch. Cellular phones are permitted for fish entry, business and/or emergency use ONLY. Two-way radios are not permitted.

2. Anyone can participate in the SAWT - Event # 1 - Forty Mile Reservoir. Entrants must be 16 years of age or older. If less than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. SAWT is a 2 person team event so registration in ANglers Atlas - MyCatch should only be completed by 1 member of the team. That person will be the one submitting catches for the entire event. 

3. There is a registration fee to enter the tournament which must be paid directly to Carla Johnson at [email protected]. Entry fee will only be returned if notice is given seven (7) days prior to the start of the tournament. Registration will be held on site Thursday from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. When registering on Thursday, the team member operating the boat must provide verification of their boating license (where required by law).

4. All competitors must be paid/active members in good standing for the tournament season in which they are competing. SAWT Memberships are $20.00 per year. Membership will be kept on a master list with the tournament organizers.

5. Catches during the event must be submitted through the MyCatch app for judging anytime during that period.

6. In order for catches to be sent properly, you must use the same login email and password for both the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch app.

7. One of the team members must register for the tournament via this URL: https://www.anglersatlas.com/tournament/556/sawt-event-1-forty-mile-reservoir-2022

8. You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered the tournament and that your payment has gone through.

9. Once accepted into the tournament, download the free MyCatch mobile app which is available for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) and login to activate the tournament on the app again using the same login email and password that you used to register in the tournament. (https://www.anglersatlas.com/mycatch)

10. By participating in this event your name may be publicly visible.

11. Protecting anglers’ privacy is a priority, and any location data collected during the tournament will not be released to the public. Our promise to anglers is “Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret”. See below for further details.

12. A great resource is the MyCatch video that shows how to register for a tournament and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3PzcIoGo4&t=8s

2. Catch Reporting Rules

1. This event is catch and release only. Eligible species include Walleye & Sauger only. All other species of fish caught during a SAWT event must also be released. This is a BARBLESS HOOK tournament. 

2. In order for each catch to qualify, a photograph of the fish on a measuring device must be taken using the MyCatch app (ie. photos cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source). 

3. All contestants must have GPS/location services enabled on your cell phone for their catches to qualify. Your location data will be protected. For more information, see details below.

4. This is a total length measurement tournament. NOT fork length. See pic for reference. The total length of a fish is measured from the tip of the nose or jaw to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched.

5. The nose or jaw of the fish must be at the start or zero mark on all measuring devices and the total length is taken where the longest length of the tail crosses the measurements on the measuring device.

6. All Fish must be measured with the right side down (the right side of the fish must be facing down or touching the board) and the left side of the fish facing upwards.

7. All measuring boards will be provided by SAWT and one will be given to each team during boat inspection each day of the event. When you measure your fish entry, the measurement rules are as follows. The nose of the fish must be visibly touching the bump end of the board, the fish must be placed on top of the board and the entire fish showing the head and tail and past the tail must be visible in the measurement photo. All fish are to be measured in millimeters (mm) 

8. The photo must be taken from a birds-eye view looking down on the fish. 

9. A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish, including head and tail, on the ruler WILL NOT BE SCORED. More than one attempt to get a valid scoring photo is allowed. The app will prompt you to either accept the photo or retake a photo.

10. All fish must be at least 45 cm long. The mouth is allowed to be open, closed, or anywhere in between, so long as the fish meets the other above requirements.

11. There are to be no fingers placed in the gills or mouth of the fish. Any fingers in the gills or mouth of the fish will disqualify that fish. Any fish that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered will be credited only at the discretion of SAWT officials and may result in team disqualification for the day or the event. 

12. After the photo entry is taken and completed, you must immediately release the fish.

13. For the SAWT events, register your first 5 fish and then only register fish that are bigger than the smallest of your top 5 fish. This will help limit the impact on the fish caught and enhance the chances of survival in catch and release where the fish is put back into the water as quickly as possible.

14. In the instance when two or more fish are caught at the same time, the Catch-Picture-Release process requires that one fish be measured, photographed, and released as quickly as possible before the next fish can be processed.

15. No live wells are to be used in the tournament. Any existing live wells on boats must not have water in them at any time during the tournament. Only 1 fish may be in the boat at any time for processing. A second may be held in a net outside of the boat and must be processed immediately after the first one.    

16. The app works out of cell range, and catches will synchronize with the server once the user opens the app when back in cell range, or via a wifi signal. Photos are date, time, and location stamped to the moment that they are taken. If the catches are not synced by the prizing deadline, they will not qualify for prizes.

17. A great resource is the MyCatch video that shows how to complete an entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqwbAFFQE-w

18. As part of our ongoing cooperation with Alberta Environment and Parks, Fisheries Management, we are requiring that all teams provide additional information to track the numbers of hours angled during pre-fishing as well as the number of fish caught during pre-fish and throughout the tournament. Measured fish during tournament times are the only exception as they will be tracked through submission of pictures. Tracking is to be recorded beginning on the Thursday prior to each tournament and will end the following Saturday at 3:00 p.m. All sheets are to be returned at the end of each day. If paperwork is not received the teams entries will not qualify for measurements until paperwork has been completed.

3. Tournament Location and Times

1. Tournament boundaries are within the limits of the water body of Forty Mile Reservoir in Alberta. 

2. The tournament runs from:

Friday, May 20, 2022 from 6:30 (7:00 2nd flight) am – 2:30 (3:00 2nd flight) pm

Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 6:30 (7:00 2nd flight) am – 2:30 (3:00 2nd flight) pm

3. Pre-fishing hours are from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm sharp on the Thursday prior to the tournament. During pre-fishing, NO FISH CAN BE HARVESTED as this is still a catch and release time period for all participating boats and SAWT members. No pre-fishing can occur on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to each tournament if you fish in the tournament. 

4. Teams entered in the tournament must have at least one (1) member of their team present at Thursday’s Rules Meeting to be held at 6:00 pm (or as soon as EVERY team is registered).

5. Teams will be assigned a random number at registration on Thursday. This number will reflect the order in which you leave the starting line the first day. The order is reversed for leaving the starting line the second day. All boats are required to display the decal with the number for the purpose of identifying you/it as a tournament angler/boat. It is to be placed on the passenger side of the boat for easy identification by tournament officials.

6. Each boat is required to pass a boat inspection each day of the tournament prior to start times. For the inspections: 

• Boat inspections will begin at 5:30 am. It is your responsibility to be on time and allow for traffic line-ups and waiting times.

• Each boat is required to possess personal flotation devices (PFD) for each person(s) on board.

•  Each boat will be required to meet Canada Coast Guard Requirements including having a bailing bucket, sounding device, and oars.

7. FISHING TIMES: First flight will fish from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm and second flight will fish from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm on both days. If there are less than 50 boats in a tournament we will proceed with one flight.

8. Upon the start, each boat will be required to pass through two (2) buoys in a NO WAKE ZONE. ONCE CLEAR OF THE BUOYS, teams may throttle up. Slower boats are asked to SAFELY/IMMEDIATELY travel closer to the shore line to allow boat traffic to safely pass. Upon finish, each boat will be required to THROTTLE DOWN PRIOR TO again passing through the two (2) buoys in a NO WAKE ZONE and CHECK IN with tournament officials.  BUOYS ARE PLACED ACCORDINGLY FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. ANY BOAT FOUND NOT ADHERING TO THE FOREGOING RULE MAY BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE TOURNAMENT. REMEMBER - SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT!

9. Teams returning late to the finish line will lose 20% of their weight for every minute they are late.  After (5) minutes, the day’s total weight will be DISQUALIFIED. All measuring boards and fishing forms in their bag (provided by the SAWT) are to be returned at the end of each day.  

10. All catches made within the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server within the event times to qualify.

11. At the discretion of the tournament director, tournament days may be shortened, postponed or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.

4. Awards &  Prizes

1. Proceeds from the tournament will be distributed as prizes in accordance with the prizing set out by the SAWT. The SAWT will be awarding all prizes for the event. 

2. Prize amounts are based on a full field of anglers. If the tournament doesn’t fill, the payout percentages for each paid position will remain the same and will be adjusted accordingly. 

3. Awards will be announced by the executive of the SAWT.

4. In the event of a tie of any competition, the tie break will be decided by the greatest weight taken on the final day (Including Big Fish).

5. Angler/Team of The Year is based on the Angler or the team with the most points after all the Tournaments are complete. You do not need to fish with the same partner for all of the tournaments.

6. Tournament organizers reserve the right to adjust entries.

5. Other Rules

1. By registering and participating in the tournament, all participants agree to abide by the rules and regulations they have received as set out by the SAWT - Event # 1 - Forty Mile Reservoir event rules and Competitive Fishing Event (CFE) License issued by the Government of Alberta.

2. This tournament is catch and release ONLY. Please handle all fish caught with care. The harvesting of any fish will result in disqualification. The goal is to achieve a 0% mortality rate. 

3. All anglers must use only barbless hooks or have ALL barbs pinched.

4. At least one part of your boat has to be under 25 feet at all times, NO EXCEPTIONS. Teams found exceeding this depth may be disqualified from the tournament.

5. All boats coming into Alberta require inspection to prevent the movement of aquatic invasive species. If you live outside of Alberta and are planning to attend any SAWT tournament you must provide proof of passing an inspection (proof of inspection sheet) at time of registration.

6. Anglers can only submit catches that their team of 2 anglers have caught themselves. Only two people are allowed in the boat during tournament hours except as expressly waived by the SAWT executives and members.

7. All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling i.e. using hook, line, rod and reel. At no time will fish caught by non angling (i.e. use of traps, trap nets or cages) be allowed to be entered. Usage of a landing net to land a hooked fish is allowed.

8. Each contestant must have in their possession a valid fishing license for their respective jurisdiction or be exempt under regulations of their jurisdiction. 

9. Each contestant must conform to the fishing rules and regulations that are in place for the jurisdiction in which they are fishing.

10. Promoters and organizers (including their agencies or agents) hosting/assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire flood or any loss to any participants, families or friends.. Each entrant is required to sign a waiver form before being allowed to compete in a SAWT tournament. Once signed, this waiver will stay in effect for the entire tournament season in which you are competing.

11. Any angler found to be cheating will be disqualified from the tournament. Angler’s Atlas also reserves the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.

12. Any boat found in possession of alcohol or drugs will be DISQUALIFIED from the tournament.

13. In the event of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.

14. A boat must not come in contact with any other boat except the officials on the water. Being sports minded anglers, please give other boats appropriate courtesy/consideration while fishing and/or while under throttle.

15. All questions or concerns relating to the rules of this tournament are to be referred to the President of the SAWT - Brian Eberts and his committee. Their decision will be final in all cases. No other person can be considered a spokesman for the rules during the tournament. The contact email for this event is [email protected]

16. All rules have loopholes. It is our intention to provide an honest sportsmanlike tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, contestants are reminded the spirit of the rule will prevail in all judgments.

17. Any contestant has the right to make a protest against another contestant by contacting the SAWT President through email and must be completed and presented within 1 hour of the close of the tournament. Their decision will be final in all cases. A $100.00 dollar protest fee may need to accompany the protest. The fee will be returned if the protest is found to be valid.

18. To ensure the best chances of survival for the fish, all participants are to handle fish safely. Blatant abuse to fish or the resource is reason for disqualification

19. All participants must follow boating safety regulations in your jurisdiction.

20. Personal Flotation Devices must be worn while your main motor is under power

21. All COVID-19 Public Health orders and Gathering Restrictions at the time of the event must be followed by all participants

22. All photo submissions may be used by MyCatch by Angler's Atlas for future use.

6. Data Privacy and Fisheries Research

“Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret” — This is our primary commitment to anglers who report their catches through MyCatch. So what does this mean in practice?

1. Angler’s Atlas does not release MyCatch GPS data to the public. It is treated as confidential and is provided to fisheries researchers under strict conditions.

2. Every research team we work with must sign a data sharing agreement that sets the terms of use for the data.

3. Data is anonymized before it is provided to the researcher.

4. Researchers agree not to share the data with anyone else.

5. Researchers cannot use the data for any purpose other than the research specified in the agreement. 

6. Exact location data cannot be published as part of the scientific research. Instead, it has to be generalized to a larger region so the location cannot be reverse engineered.

7. Angler’s Atlas may release data to a law enforcement agency if compelled to do so under court order. 

These data privacy rules are designed to protect our angler’s private data, to conserve the fisheries, and to make sure we maintain a trusting relationship with our anglers into the future. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to Angler’s Atlas President directly by email ([email protected]).

THE TOURNAMENT ADMINISTRATION/COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ANY TEAM FOR RULE INFRACTIONS IF THE SITUATION WARRANTS SUCH ACTION. SAWT MEMBERSHIPS MAY ALSO BE REVOKED DUE TO RULE INFRACTIONS AND/ OR “UNSPORTSMANLIKE BEHAVIOR” DURING TOURNAMENTS/EVENTS. THE SAWT ADMINISTRATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DECLINE ANY ANGLER FROM ENTERING A TOURNAMENT WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DISQUALIFIED AT ANY OTHER FISHING TOURNAMENT/EVENT.

7. Schedule A - Specific Rules as set out Alberta Environment & Parks AEP & CFE license: