Derby News - Women's Derby

Ninety Three Year Old Woman Catches 16.58 Pound Silver Salmon In Valdez To Win Women's Silver Salmon Derby

Lenore Groundwater
2011 Women's Silver Salmon Derby Winner.

VALDEZ –Lenore Groundwater of Green Valley, Arizona said the 16.58 pound silver that took her line and won her $1,000 in cash and prizes was hard to reel it. "He shook", she said, "I think he was tugging on the hook". Groundwater has been coming to Valdez for 30 years to visit family and has fished the women's derby the last two years. When asked if she wanted to share her age, Groundwater replied, "I'm 39 backward".

Groundwater was crowned Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood Saturday night at the Valdez Civic Center in front of a crowd of more than 500 cheering women. With 789 registrants in the one-day fishing event weighing in more than 900 fish, Groundwater beat out some stiff competition. While sitting in a throne decorated luau style to reflect the theme of the 7th Annual Women' Silver Salmon Derby and wearing the pink bathrobe and crown that has become tradition, Groundwater said catching fish is more about luck than skill. "That's the same thing about living so old", she remarked.

Groundwater said she started coming to Valdez 30 years ago with her husband and has fished for silvers the last five summers. When asked whether she knew whether her fish was a winner, Groundwater replied, "We suspected it". The ladies in the room showed nothing but support and adoration for the smiling Groundwater as she was crowned the Queen. When asked what she thought about all the attention, she replied, "Well, it's probably not helping my high blood pressure". Groundwater said she had several Grandchildren she would share her winnings with.

The top three fish weighed in for the Women's Derby all tipped the scales at more than 16 pounds. Jeannette Wakefield of Anchorage took 2nd place with a 16.24 pound silver. Wakefield announced to the cheering crowd that while she was fishing in Valdez and catching a big one, she called her husband and he was getting skunked on the Kenai. "It was a great phone call", she said. The 3rd place winner, Nichole Theisen of Aitkin, Minnesota was honeymooning in Valdez and was fishing with her husband when she caught the big one. "That will be a great story to tell the family for years to come", remarked announcer Margaret Henry. The three leading ladies in the Women's Derby are also currently leading the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby. If Groundwater remains in the lead through the end of the derby Sunday, September 4th, she will win $15,000 cash.

Todd Gibb of Carhartt flew in from Seattle and was welcomed with applause at the Valdez Civic Center when it was announced that his company provided the 700 Carhartt Hoodies for participants. In addition to door prizes, the Fox River Sock Toss and Fish Olympics Wheel of Chocolate Prizes, the top 50 anglers received a Women's Derby fleece vest and prizes donated by Prospector Outfitters. Next year's Women's Derby is set for Saturday, August 11th with the opening ceremony Friday, August 10th.

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