Deanna Cox – 2022 Women’s Derby Winner
VALDEZ, Alaska – When Valdez angler Deanna Cox of Valdez hooked her big fish Saturday, she said they had to put the boat in reverse so they could catch it. Cox has been fishing the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby since its inception in 2005 and said she knew she had a big fish on when Charter Captain Dave Wiley hollered at his wife Frieda to put the boat in reverse. “It (the fish) took off heading toward the gulf and it was not slowing down so that’s when Frieda put it in reverse and saved the day. Cox said she had to reel fast to keep tension on the line and bring the big the big fish in.
Cox has fished the Women’s Derby for 18 years but said she has never caught a fish close to the top three. When asked what she did differently this year, Cox initially responded that she had made cookies to take on the Women’s Derby boat every year except this year, but after thinking about it, she decided that going on the Wiley’s boat was probably a bigger factor. Dave Wiley has been chartering in Valdez for more than 30 years and his wife Frieda caught the derby winning halibut in 2017. Frieda’s halibut weighed in at 374.0-pounds and holds the record for being the largest halibut on record in the Valdez Halibut Derby.
Cox was crowned Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood and wins $1,000 cash and $1,000 in prizes from the Prospector. She also won the daily 1st place prize and took the lead in the overall Silver Salmon Derby. She has a chance to win $10,000 cash if her fish holds onto the lead through the end of the Silver Salmon Derby Sunday, September 4th at noon. Paula Rothenbuhler of Salcha, Alaska caught a 13.86-pound silver Saturday to take 2nd place in the Women’s Derby and she is currently in 2nd place overall in the regular derby. Jeanie Hebert-Truax of Wasilla took 3rd place in the Women’s Derby with a 12.90-pound silver and is currently in 3rd place in the regular derby. A majority of the boats going out for silver salmon on Saturday were at Glacier Island, but anglers did catch fish in the Port and have been reeling in a few from shore at Allison Point. In the coming weeks, fishing from shore will continue to improve.
In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Jeremy Smith of North Pole is still leading and stands to win the $10,000 first place prize if his fish holds on through the end of the derby September 4th. If Smith’s halibut holds on, it will be the smallest halibut to win the Grand Prize for largest fish in the recorded history of the Valdez Halibut Derby. Al White of Wasilla is currently in 2nd place with a 166.8-pound halibut he caught August 5th and Chris Milles of Melbourne, Florida is currently in 3rd place with a 150-pound halibut.
Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby WINNERS
1st Deanna Cox Valdez, AK 14.42 lbs. Aug 13 Orion
2nd Paula Rothenbuhler Salcha, AK 13.86 lbs. Aug 13 Bucket List
3rd Jeanie Herbert-Truax Wasilla, AK 12.90 lbs. Aug 13 Lyons Den
Women’s Derby Photo Gallery – CLICK HERE
We have some great photos from the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. Flickr Slideshow that includes pictures of women fishing in Prince William Sound, the WD Group Costume Contest and Selfies from women who participated in the Friday night Coho Cruise Night event. Photo Credit: Valdez Fish Derbies. All participants in Valdez Coho Cruise Night checked a box giving us permission to use photos for promotional purposes before uploading so you are free to use.
ALL the Winners – CLICK HERE
There were quite a lot of contests and prizes. Visit www.valdezfishderbies.com for all the details.
Valdez Silver Salmon Derby Overall Leaders
1st Deanna Cox Valdez, AK 14.42 lbs. Aug 13 Orion
2nd Paula Rothenbuhler Salcha, AK 13.86 lbs. Aug 13 Bucket List
3rd Jeanie Herbert-Truax Wasilla, AK 12.90 lbs. Aug 13 Lyons Den
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Jeremy Smith North Pole, AK 170.0 lbs. June 23 Chugach Girl
2nd Al White Wasilla, AK 166.8 lbs. August 5 Dan Orion
3rd Chris Milles Melbourne, FL 150.0 lbs. May 28 Halibut Grove