Week 10: Silvers Are Arriving, Big Prize Friday Won by Jim Rothenbuhler

Derby News – Week 10, 7/20-7/26

VALDEZ, Alaska – The silver salmon are returning to Valdez slowly but surely. The first week of the silver derby was slow with very few fish weighed in, but Big Prize Friday fishing picked up and some nice size fish were brought to the weigh-in. Jim Rothenbuhler caught the biggest one to win the $500 cash prize. Rothenbuhler’s 13.66 pound fish also won him the daily 1st place prize worth hundreds of dollars and put him in the top spot on the Silver Salmon Derby overall leader board.

Rothenbuhler’s reign on the leader board was short lived. G.C. MacDonald of Murupara, New Zealand picked up a 15.60 pound silver on Sunday aboard the Martie Kay and is currently leading the derby. Michael Freerksen of Valdez is 3rd in the overall standings with the 12.46 pound silver he caught on Friday aboard the Crista June.

While silver fishing is heating up, another leader snuck into the standings in the halibut derby. James McQuain of Fairbanks reeled in a 171.6 pound halibut July 25th aboard the Dawn Treader to break into the overall standings in 2nd place. Scott Hebig of Wasilla is still leading the derby with the 203.6 pound halibut he caught June 20th aboard the Amanda Rose and Jeff Maurer of Elysburg, Pennsylvania dropped to 3rd place in the standings with the 171.4 pound halibut he caught July 17th aboard the Dawn Treader.

The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby should bring in some bigger fish, and a lot of lady anglers. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday, August 8th and a closing awards ceremony on Saturday, August 9th. The theme of this year’s Women’s Derby is “Fairy Tales” and there will be a costume contest Friday. Live music is planned for Saturday and derby organizers are expecting another exciting year. CLICK HERE to visit the Women’s Derby registration page at www.valdezfishderbies.com.