VALDEZ, Alaska – Alex Plowman said he knew the fish he caught for the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby was a big one, but he had no idea it would set a record. Plowman reeled in a 10.12 pound pink salmon Saturday to win the 8 to 10 year old age division. The Valdez Kids Pink Salmon started in 2008 and the record prior to fishing Saturday was an 8.08 pound pink salmon caught by Christian Wingert of Fairbanks. After the derby closed on Saturday night Wingert dropped to 6th place in the overall standings and the top five fish ever caught in the derby were caught this year.
(CLICK HERE for Top 10 All Time) Plowman won a longboard skateboard as the 1st place winner in the 8 to 10 year old age division. Bryndi Beck of Valdez, Alaska took top honors in the 5 to 7 year age division with a 10.08 pound pink salmon. Andrew Hayse of Wasilla, Alaska took 1st place in the 11 to 13 age division with a 8.20 pound pink salmon and Fred Sinnok of Shishmaref, Alaska took top honors in the 14 to 16 age division with a 7.66 pound pink salmon. The first place winner in each division won a longboard skateboard courtesy of Bahama Hawks and Valdez Fish Derbies. The 2nd place winners in each division received a fishing pole from Prospector and the 3rd place winners in each division received fishing gear from Prospector. All of the winners won a free subscription to Fish Alaska Magazine.
The Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby is a free event open to kids age 5 to 16. The weigh-in station gave away 300 free t-shirts to kids age 5 to 16 that got a line wet and hosted a free family barbeque attended by 500 people at Dock Point picnic area.
Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby – 2017 Winners
5 to 7 Age Division
1st Bryndi Beck Valdez, AK 10.08 lbs.
2nd Caleb Horschel Valdez, AK 7.90 lbs.
3rd Lillia Horschel Valdez, AK 7.74 lbs.
8 to 10 Age Division
1st Alex Plowman Fairbanks, AK 10.12 lbs.
2nd Ava Mitchell Fairbanks, AK 9.40 lbs.
3rd Paul Eiman Twin Falls, ID 8.40 lbs.
11 to 13 Age Division
1st Andrew Hayse Wasilla, AK 8.20 lbs.
2nd Alex Wease Salcha, AK 7.68 lbs.
3rd Dominik Bredonger Switzerland 7.58 lbs.
14 to 16 Age Division
1st Fred Sinnok Shishmaref, AK 7.66 lbs.
2nd Alexa Jenkins Fairbanks, AK 7.18 lbs.
3rd Jordan Calderara Fairbanks, AK 7.02 lbs.