Artemis Kimber, 5-to-7 $100 winner
VALDEZ, Alaska – On the first day of the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby, JC Koss of Fort Meyers, Florida brought in a 10.28-pound catch to win the 1st place daily prize and take a solid lead in the derby. Ted Arnberg of Valdez won the 2nd place daily prize for July 19th and is currently in 2nd place overall with a 9.82-pound fish. Vickie Martel of Valdez is currently in 3rd place overall with a 9.24-pound silver salmon.
In the Valdez Halibut Derby, James Cook of Bremerton, Washington hooked into a 210-pound halibut Saturday aboard the Dan Orion and is the new leader of the Valdez Halibut Derby. Mel Groves of Palmer moves to 2nd place in the overall standings with his 185.4-pound fish and Kreed Jones of Chugiak, Alaska is holding onto 3rd place overall with a 177.8-pound halibut he caught July 2nd aboard the Hofshore.
On Saturday, the harbor was not only busy with anglers coming to port with halibut and silver salmon, but young anglers competing in the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby. The pink salmon were plentiful and many catches over five pounds were recorded. The pink salmon fishing from Allison Point should be productive for the next several weeks and Alaska Department of Fish and Game has increased the bag limit for pink salmon to 12 fish per day and 24 in possession in the Valdez Terminal Harvest Area.
The Valdez Silver Salmon Derby runs now through August 31st and features daily 1st and 2nd place prizes, as well as a $10,000 Grand prize for the largest silver salmon caught during the season. The cost of a daily derby ticket is $10, and a season ticket is $50. In addition to overall cash prizes and daily 1st and 2nd place prize winners, Valdez Fish Derbies will be hosting a Women’s Silver Salmon Derby August 9th. Valdez Fish Derbies is also hosting a Silver Salmon Slam tournament where the person who catches the largest silver salmon between August 22nd and 31st will take home a bonus of $1,000 cash. There will also be a bonus of $500 cash prize for the angler catching the largest Silver Salmon on Big Prize Friday, July 25th, and August 29th.
Valdez Fish Derbies is now gearing up for the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. The event will feature a Friday night kickoff event August 8th centered around the theme “Flower Power – Peace, Love & Fishing”. Cash and prizes will be awarded for the top 3 largest fish caught Saturday, August 9th. Registration is at the Valdez Prospector August 6th through 9th. The Women’s Silver Salmon Derby Page on the Valdez Fish Derbies website has all the information.
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st James Cook | Bremerton, WA | 210.0 lbs. | July 19 | Dan Orion
2nd Mel Grove | Palmer, AK | 185.4 lbs. | July 5 | Mel Fare
3rd Kreed Jones | Chugiak, AK | 177.8 lbs. | July 2 | Hofshore
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners
1st James Cook | Bremerton, WA | 210.0 lbs. | July 19 | Dan Orion
2nd Noah Wilkins | Wasilla, AK | 164.2 lbs. | July 16 | Hooked Up
Silver Salmon Derby – Overall Leaders
1st JC Koss | Fort Meyer, FL | 10.28 lbs. | July 19 | Mistress
2nd Ted Arnberg | Valdez, AK | 9.82 lbs. | July 19 | Mary Red
3rd Vickie Martel | Valdez, AK | 9.24 lbs. | July 19 | Fishy Tales