VALDEZ HALIBUT DERBY HITS THE GROUND RUNNING, SILVER DERBY STARTING JULY 24

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Halibut Derby kicked off Saturday, May 22^nd with anglers excited to get their lines in the water. Dixie Jennings of Fairbanks holds 1^st place weekly and overall with the very first fish weighed for the 2021 season, a 97.8 pound halibut caught May 22^nd aboard the LIAHO. Holding 2^nd place for the week as well as overall is Chase Tomlinson of North Pole with an 80.1 pound halibut caught May 23^rd aboard the Nunatak. In 3^rd place overall is Jesus Segura of North Pole with a 71.2 pound halibut caught May 23^rd aboard the Bold Eagle.

The grand prize for catching the largest fish in the Valdez Halibut Derby is $10,000 cash. The 2^nd place prize is $3,000 and 3^rd place is $1500. Halibut derby anglers can also win weekly 1^st and 2^nd place prizes in the derby. The Halibut Hullabaloo is slated for June 5^th through 14^th. The angler catching the largest halibut during this period will win $1000 in addition to the daily prizes. Weekly prizes include tours, accommodations and retail gift certificates, fishing charters, and Valdez Fish Derbies apparel.

Valdez Fish Derbies will also hold a “Tagged Fish Contest” August 13^th through September 7^th. If an angler catches a tagged silver salmon during that time period and turns it into the Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in shack, they win cash or prizes. All silver salmon derby rules apply for the “Tagged Fish Contest” and rules and more information can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com

The Valdez Silver Salmon derby begins Saturday, July 24^th featuring prizes for the two biggest fish caught daily as well as prizes for the three biggest fish overall. The grand prize for catching the largest fish in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby is $10,000 cash. The 2nd place prize is $3,000 and 3rd place is $1500. Big Prize Fridays are scheduled for July 30^th as well as September 3^rd.

The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is happening Saturday, August 14^th, and the Valdez Kid’s Pink Salmon Derby is on Saturday, July 24^th. Find weigh-in hours, ticket vendor locations, and more at www.valdezfishderbies.com

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st Dixie Jennings, Fairbanks, AK, 97.8 lbs., May 22, LIAHO

2^nd Chase Tomlinson, North Pole, AK, 80.1 lbs., May 23, Nunatak

3^rd Jesus Segura, North Pole, AK, 71.2 lbs., May 23, Bold Eagle

Halibut Derby – Weekly Leaders – Week #1

1^st, Dixie Jennings, Fairbanks, AK, 97.8 lbs., May 22, LIAHO

2^nd, Chase Tomlinson, North Pole, AK, 80.1 lbs., May 23 , Nunatak