2007 Women's Salmon Derby Winners
Sonya Simon of Tok Wins Women’s Derby, Takes Lead in Silver Derby
VALDEZ – More than 500 women converged on Valdez this Saturday in hopes of being crowned Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood. After a busy day of fishing, the Valdez Fish Derbies committee presented Sonya Simon of Tok with $500 in cash and $500 in prizes from Prospector Outfitters for the catching the largest silver salmon of the day.
Simon’s fish weighed in at 18.32 pounds and, in addition to winning the 3rd Annual Women’s Silver Salmon Derby, Simon is currently in 1st place overall for the regular Valdez Silver Salmon Derby. If her fish remains in the lead and she wins the $15,000 first place prize Simon knows exactly what she wants to do with the money. “If I won $15,000 I would get myself a boat with a potty,” Simon said.
The Women’s Derby event kicked off Friday night with a fashion show by the Prospector and a Bachelor filet-a-fish auction where bachelors offered their fish cleaning services to the highest bidder. The auction raised more than $5,000 for breast cancer awareness efforts in the state and the Valdez Fish Derbies.
On Saturday, the Valdez harbor was teeming with female anglers going out to fish in hopes of catching a big one and landing a spot in the Top 20. Carrie Cramer of Wasilla, Alaska netted 2nd place and $300 cash and $300 in clothing and gear from Prospector Outfitters for her 17.56 pound silver. Kari Dawson from Ione, WA captured the 3rd place prize with a 16.66 pound silver. Dawson won $200 in cash and $200 in Prospector clothing and gear. The top 20 highest weight fish took home prizes and the complete list of winners and pictures of those who weighed in their fish can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com. Next year’s event is slated for Saturday, August 9th.
The Women’s derby is just a one day event, but the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby will not end until the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. If the current standings hold in the regular derby, three women will take top honors. Simon’s 18.32 pound silver is currently in 1st place, Cramer’s 17.56 pound silver is currently in 2nd place and a 17.00 pound silver caught by Susan Demuth of Merritt Island, Florida earlier in the season is currently in 3rd place.
For more information on the Valdez Fish Derbies, please contact Laurie Prax at 907-255-5825. Please photo credit: Valdez Fish Derbies.
2007 Valdez Women's Silver Salmon Derby Top 20 Winners |
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| NAME | CITY | STATE | FISH WEIGHT |
| 1. Sonya Simon | Tok | AK | 18.32 |
| 2. Carrie Cramer | Wasilla | AK | 17.56 |
| 3. Kari Dawson | Ione | WA | 16.66 |
| 4. Sandy Woods | Fairbanks | AK | 16.34 |
| 5. Jessica Koscielski | Valdez | AK | 15.88 |
| 6. Deb White | Valdez | AK | 15.74 |
| 7. Lela Bouton | Valdez | AK | 15.56 |
| 8. Jeannette Jenn | Valdez | AK | 15.48 |
| 9. Jacqui Davis | Dartmouth | MA | 15.36 |
| 10. Karen Dullen | Fairbanks | AK | 15.22 |
| 11. Kim Dains | Valdez | AK | 15.02 |
| 12. Janet Roth | Fairbanks | AK | 14.92 |
| 13. Jamie Hughes | Gakona | AK | 14.76 |
| 14. Amy Fagan | Eielson AFB | AK | 14.70 |
| 15. Diane Thorsen | Henning | MN | 14.64 |
| 16. Chelsea Harrison | Valdez | AK | 14.58 |
| 17. Patty Mattoon | North Pole | AK | 14.46 |
| 18. Sharon Daniels | Valdez | AK | 14.42 |
| 19. Rosemary Clark | Pahrump | NV | 14.42 |
| 20. Kathryn Burzinski | Anchorage | AK | 14.40 |
