If it's a 1-day'er, then Jan 2 works for me.
I'd also consider a multi day ... like have it open from Dec 24-Jan 2, with the closing "ceremony" at Buffy's on Jan 2 afternoon. That way we don't get screwed over if the weather sucks on Jan 2. Plus many people are in holidays during that time, and the family obligations are over ... fish as many or as few days you like in the contest period.
For weigh-in, maybe we could talk Eagle Eye into letting us use them as weigh-in station, just for somewhere central.
I vote for no gear or location restrictions, do whatever works. Entry should be $20 per person, not $10, to make it interesting. How about 50% to charity (SSES? JDF? Or winner chooses?), then 40% to winner, 10% to 2nd place.
Payment required IN ADVANCE ONLY, NO EXCEPTIONS! Who do we trust to hold the $$? Maybe we can leave an envelope at Eagle Eye and they'd hold it for us? Also I have a paypal account that can allow online credit card payments, if that helps make it easier for people to join in.
http://www.fishingsooke.ca/rates.html
SFBC members only, or open it up wider? Find some draw prizes too? Or maybe over-complicating this... ;-)
Good times!