Week 11: Pinks Are Plentiful, Silvers Coming and Halibut Fishing Steady

Derby News – Week 11, 7/27-8/2

VALDEZ, Alaska – The silver salmon leader board was a bit sparse last week, but the weigh in is seeing more and more silvers as each day passes. According to Fish Derby Weigh-In station volunteers, most anglers that weighed in fish this weekend had several silvers in their coolers.

At this point, there doesn’t seem to be any sure-fire lure or depth to catch the silvers at. “People are catching them on different lures, at different depths and in places all over right now,” commented fish cutter Jim Thayer at the dock Sunday night.

In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Scott Hebig of Wasilla, Alaska is still leading with a 203.6 pound halibut he caught June 20th aboard the Amanda Rose. James McQuain is currently in 2nd place overall with a 171.6 pound halibut caught July 25th and Jeff Maurer of Elysburg, PA is in 3rd right now with a 171.4 pound halibut caught July 17th.

Last year, Regina Blood of Valdez won the Women’s Derby and was crowned Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood when she reeled in a 15.68 pound silver. The largest silver salmon caught in the Women’s Derby was an 18.84 pound silver caught by Betty Valdes of Eagle River in 2010. Registration is currently underway for the Women’s Derby which includes an opening ceremony Friday night and a closing on Saturday. The theme this year 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. For more Women’s Derby information, go to the Registration page.