VALDEZ, Alaska – Local Angler Doug Cranor hooked into a derby-leading 239.0 pound halibut on June 23rd, 2018 aboard the vessel Redhead. This Halibut earned him a winning spot on the Week Five weekly leaderboard and put him in first place overall in the 2018 halibut derby. Clayson Wiley’s 148.8 pound halibut lead has finally been broken after four weeks of topping the overall standings. Also caught on the same day, Russel Young of Fairbanks reeled in a 226.0 pound halibut aboard the Dan Orion landing him in second place overall as well as second place in the Week Five standings. Within the past four weeks, not one derby angler has broken the 200 pound mark. The first and second place halibut are well over 200 pounds and were brought in on the same day.
Pink Salmon are expected to be available by the 4th of July weekend and should be in the Port of Valdez for the Annual Kids Pink Salmon Derby. While pinks can likely be caught July 4th weekend, there’s a Kids Pink Salmon Derby in Valdez Saturday, July 21st when the fish are thick in the Port. The Kids Pink Salmon Derby is free and the first 300 kids to weigh in a fish get a free t-shirt. The top three fish in four different age divisions will win a prize. There’s a free family BBQ at the end of the Derby. More information about the Kids Pink Salmon Derby and other Valdez fishing events can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com.
The silver salmon will be right on their tails, arriving in mid to late July. The Valdez Silver Salmon Derby starts July 21st..
The Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is slated for August 11th with an opening ceremony Friday night August 10th. The theme of this year’s Women’s Derby is “Circus” and there will be a group costume contest Friday night as well as live music by singer songwriter Emily Anderson of Fairbanks. The Women’s Silver Salmon Derby will crown the 1st place winner and award the title of “Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood. Valdez Fish Derbies also awards prizes for the top 50 on Saturday night. CLICK HERE for details on the Women’s Derby. Last year’s Silver Salmon Derby 1st place winner was Chinda Heston of Valdez with a 14.88 pound silver salmon.
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Doug Cranor Valdez, AK 239.0 lbs. June 23 Redhead
2nd Russell Young Fairbanks, AK 226.0 lbs. June 23 Dan Orion
3rd Eric Johnson North Pole, AK 149.0 lbs. June 22 Sea Walker
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – June 17th through 23rd
1st Doug Cranor Valdez, AK 239.0 lbs. June 23 Redhead
2nd Russel Young Fairbanks, AK 226.0 lbs. June 23 Dan Orion