Derby News - Week 9, 2009

Silver Salmon make it to Valdez just in time for start of Salmon Derby

VALDEZ –Silver salmon have hit Port Valdez and a twelve pound fish caught the opening day of the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby is currently leading the derby. Vicki Domke of Fairbanks reeled in a 12.26 pound silver aboard a private boat Saturday. Last year’s silver salmon derby winner was Derek Werder of Valdez with a 22.14 pound silver so it is unlikely Domke’s fish will hold on to win the $15,000 first place prize, but it did win her a daily first place prize. While the pink salmon return was relatively small this year, Dave Cobb of the Valdez Fisheries Development Association said the silver run is a completely different fishery and we can expect hundreds of thousands of silvers to return to Valdez.

Many silvers have been caught off of Bligh Island according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and Dave Carter of Fairbanks said he caught some nice silvers just a 20 minute boat ride from the Port. Cobb said it appears the silvers are right on schedule. “It should be good timing for Big Prize Friday and the fish should be plentiful for the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby August 8th”, Cobb said. Friday, July 31st is the first Friday of the Silver Salmon Derby and the angler catching the largest silver that day will take home $500 cash in addition to the regular prizes. The 2nd Big Prize Friday will be the last day of the silver derby, September 4th.

Registration for the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby will be August 3rd through 7th at Prospector Outfitters and Reynolds Alaska Sporting Goods in Valdez. Friday Night, August 7th, is the Silver Salmon Sisterhood Opening Celebration at the Civic Center beginning at 6pm. The evening will feature live music, free wine tasting, a costume contest, silent auction, Fish Olympics and the Bachelor Filet-A-Fish auction. Saturday lady anglers will fish Valdez and the weigh-in will be open 9am to 6pm. The Crowning of the “Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood” will happen at the Awards Party Saturday night, August 8th. Doors will open at 7pm and a pulled pork dinner will be available for $10. The Awards Event will begin at 8pm. A $25 fee will get women a Women’s Derby Dog Tag to use when weighing in their fish. Admission is free to both Friday and Saturday night events with dog tag. A regular Silver Salmon Derby ticket must also be purchased to participate in the Women’s Derby.

The halibut derby is still being led by Marvin Ray Williams of Fairbanks as a storm in the gulf kept the charter fleet from fishing most of the week. Smaller fish were winners of the weekly prize in the halibut derby, despite the fact that a 129 pound halibut was weighed in. The angler who caught the 129 pounder did not have a derby ticket. Jeff Stutzke of Fairbanks did have a derby ticket and won 1st place for the week with a 91.0 pound halibut. Sharon Daniels of Valdez took 2nd for the week with a 75.2 pound flatfish. Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports Lingcod fishing is good, and best near ocean entrances. They suggest trying a large white lead-head jig just off the bottom near rock piles.