VALDEZ, Alaska – Anglers from the interior are dominating the Valdez Fish Derbies leaderboard in the early stages of the Valdez Halibut Derby. Michelle Stewart of Fairbanks, Alaska is currently in first place overall with a 95 pound halibut she caught aboard the Valdez Pearl June 2nd. Robert Calton of Eielson AFB is currently in 2nd place with a 94.8 pound halibut caught May 26th aboard the Dan Orion and Robert Geise of Delta Junction is currently in 3rd place with a 93 pound halibut caught May 30th aboard the Halibut Grove.
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 9th and 18th 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 and wildlife in the Port Valdez and throughout Prince William Sound. Stan Stephens Cruises operates a glacier and wildlife cruise out of Valdez and this past week alone have reported sightings of humpback whales, Dall’s porpoise, Stellar Sea Lions, mountain goats, black bear as well as shorebirds such as the surf scoter, puffins and oystercatchers.
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 18.7 million. For those looking ahead to the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby, the anticipated 2017 return for coho salmon is 104,000.
The Valdez Fish Derbies will be hosting the Kids Pink Salmon Derby Saturday, July 22nd. 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. For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Michelle Stewart Fairbanks, AK 95.0 lbs. June 2 Valdez Pearl
2nd Robert Calton Eielson AFB, AK 94.8 lbs. May 26 Dan Orion
3rd Robert Geise Delta Junction, AK 93.0 lbs. May 30 Halibut Grove
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #2
1st Michelle Stewart Fairbanks, AK 95.0 lbs. June 2 Valdez Pearl
2nd Robert Calton Eielson AFB, AK 94.8 lbs. May 26 Dan Orion