VALDEZ, Alaska – Anglers returning to Port Valdez did so with sunburns on the opening weekend of the Valdez Halibut Derby. Sunny skies and whales putting on a show in Prince William Sound, set the stage for a lot of activity in the Valdez Harbor. Fish Cleaner Pat Olson said he has cleaned more fish through the 22nd of May than he cleaned the entire month of May last year. In addition to halibut, rockfish have been abundant. Just a couple days before the start of the halibut derby, a woman from South Dakota brought in a 100 pound halibut but by the end of the first weekend of the derby, a 68 pound flatfish is leading.
Ernest McGehee of Mt. Vernon, Washington reeled in a 68.6 pound halibut May 22nd aboard the Jaime Lynn to take the lead in the Halibut Derby. Joe Kelly of Scottsdale, Arizona is currently in 2nd place overall with a 63 pounder he caught on the same boat Sunday and Josh Wendt of Spokane, Washington is currently in 3rd place overall with a 61.4 pound halibut he caught May 22nd aboard the Jaime Lynn.
Charter Captains in Valdez are preparing for a busy season as anglers have high hopes of being the winner of the $15,000 first place prize in the Valdez Halibut Derby. A ticket costs $10 for the day or $50 for the season and must be purchased before heading out on the water. Ticket sale locations can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com. The limit for halibut in Prince William Sound is still two per person, and one of those fish can be no longer than 29 inches in length. The derby shack is located kitty corner from the Harbormasters office.
In addition to the grand prize of $15,000, 2nd place prize of $5,000 and 3rd place of $2,000 for catching the largest three fish, halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 10th through 19th. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1,000 in addition to the daily prizes.
This year, the Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a drawing for $10,000 cash and everyone who purchases a ticket will be in the raffle, whether they go fishing or not. Every daily derby ticket purchased equals one raffle ticket, and each season ticket purchased equals five raffle tickets for the $10,000 drawing at the end of the season.
The Kids Pink Salmon Derby has been set for Saturday, July 23rd and will feature 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in four different age divisions. The Kids derby is free and open to kid’s age 5 to 16 years of age. The Silver Salmon Derby in Valdez will again boast a $15,000 first place prize and daily prizes and runs July 23rd through September 4th. The Annual Valdez Women’s Derby is slated for Saturday, August 13th with an opening ceremony Friday, August 12th and the closing ceremony Saturday night.
There will be a $500 prize for the vendor and operator selling the winning derby ticket in both derbies. For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Ernest McGehee Mt. Vernon, WA 68.6 lbs. May 22 Jaime Lynn
2nd Joe Kelly Scottsdale, AZ 63.0 lbs. May 22 Jaime Lynn
3rd Josh Wendt Spokane, WA 61.4 lbs. May 22 Jaime Lynn
Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1
1st Ernest McGehee Mt. Vernon, WA 68.6 lbs. May 22 Jaime Lynn
2nd Joe Kelly Scottsdale, AZ 63.0 lbs. May 22 Jaime Lynn
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