VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off May 20th and some nice fish were weighed in the first few days of the derby. This past Sunday, members of the Alaska military visited Valdez and the number of boats going out for halibut dramatically increased. The boats taking out anglers Sunday did not profit and donated their time to Military Appreciation Day. As part of Military Appreciation Weekend, the City of Valdez coordinates a program where boat owners donate halibut charters and Crowley Fuel contributes fuel so first and second year Alaska-stationed military members can enjoy a day of halibut fishing. The City of Valdez also hosts military appreciation picnics and barbeques open to visitors and the community.
Robert Calton of Eielson AFB, Alaska reeled in a 94.8 pound halibut May 26th aboard the Dan Orion to take the lead in the Halibut Derby. Chris Forman of JBER, Alaska is currently in 2nd place overall with a 92.2 pound halibut he caught on the Jamie Lynn last Wednesday and Shane Hofstad of JBER, Alaska is currently in 3rd place overall with a 88.4 pound halibut he caught May 24th 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. Halibut weigh-ins are conducted at the derby shack, 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 9th through 18th. 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 22nd and will feature 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes in four different age divisions. The Kids derby is free and open to kids 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 22nd through September 3rd. The Annual Valdez Women’s Derby is slated for Saturday, August 12th with an opening ceremony Friday, August 11th 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 Robert Calton Eielson AFB, AK 94.8 lbs. May 26 Dan Orion
2nd Chris Forman JBER, AK 92.2 lbs. May 24 Jaime Lynn
3rd Shane Hofstad JBER, AK 88.4 lbs. May 24 Jaime Lynn
Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1
1st Robert Calton Eielson AFB, AK 94.8 lbs. May 26 Dan Orion
2nd Chris Forman JBER, AK 92.2 lbs. May 24 Jaime Lynn