VALDEZ, Alaska – Duran Lee of Palmer, is currently leading the Valdez Halibut Derby with a 115.8 pound halibut he caught May 24th aboard the Jaime Lynn. The Halibut Derby started May 21st and it only took a few days before an angler broke the 100 pound mark. A 100 pound halibut will, likely, not hold on to win the $15,000 1st place prize in the halibut derby, but there weekly 1st and 2nd place prizes all season long. The prize package for the first week of the derby includes a Valdez Fish Derbies Jacket, T-Shirt, hotel stay in Anchorage and local gift certificates. Prize packages in the coming weeks include halibut charters, cabin rentals and tour certificates.
The investment to compete in the Valdez Halibut Derby and have the chance to win the $15,000 first place prize is $10 for a daily ticket. Those who fish a lot can pick up a halibut season ticket for $50. The 2nd place prize in the Halibut Derby is $5,000 and 3rd place prize is $2,000.
Those with a halibut derby ticket are eligible to participate in the Halibut Hullabaloo tournament for no additional cost. The angler catching the largest halibut in the derby between June 10th and 19th will win $1,000 cash in addition to the regular derby prizes.
A huge bonus for anglers hitting the waters early this year is the opportunity to see whales in the Port Valdez and throughout Prince William Sound. Charter Captain Dave Wiley said on one fishing trip, they saw grey whales, minke whales, humpbacks and orcas, all within a few miles of each other. Valdez Facebook profiles are littered with sunny pictures and videos of whales as well as good hauls of shrimp by private boaters.
For those looking forward to catching salmon in Valdez, the Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) Solomon Gulch Hatchery has some good news. This private non-profit salmon hatchery said the anticipated return of pink salmon to Port Valdez is 17.4 million. The anticipated return for silver salmon is 100,000.
The Valdez Fish Derbies will be hosting the Kids Pink Salmon Derby Saturday, July 23rd. There will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize for four different age divisions. The Kids Derby is free and open to kids five to 16 years of age. Valdez Fish Derbies tickets are available at the weigh-in shack down by the harbor and at various locations throughout town. For more information visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Duran Lee Palmer, AK 115.8 lbs. May 24 Jaime Lynn
2nd Rod Morrison Valdez, AK 102.8 lbs. May 28 Dan Orion
3rd Mark Lukonen Harrisburg, SD 97.6 lbs. May 28 Dan Orion
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #1
1st Duran Lee Palmer, AK 115.8 lbs. May 24 Jaime Lynn
2nd Rod Morrison Valdez, AK 102.8 lbs. May 28 Dan Orion
If you would like to be removed from the Valdez Fish Derbies press release list,
Please respond by e-mail and ask to “unsubscribe” – Thank You!