Lorraine Fischer
VALDEZ – The sun came out and the fish were biting Saturday during the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby. Families from all over Alaska travelled to Valdez and several entries came in from out of state as well but one family travelled here from China. Min Lin said her family drove an RV into Valdez Friday and the RV Park staff told her about the event. “With the advice of locals, we went to Allison Point,” said Lin. “This is so exciting and a wonderful experience for us.” Although Lin caught her first fish in Valdez back in 2008, this was the first time her children had ever been fishing. Lin said she is thankful that her children and husband were able to make great memories in Valdez.
Kyndel Cahill of Palmer Alaska competed in the 11-to-13-year age division and shared she “Fished the early incoming tide and slayed them”. On her entry form, the Cahill’s wrote, “Best part is hearing all the other kids’ excitement of bringing in fish. Pure Joy!.”
Jon Carlo McCune
Tahnee King shared that her son Mace loves fishing but also loves exploring. “He found moon jellies, gunnels, two spined sticklebacks and pricklebacks. We also got to watch a sea lion chasing salmon straight to us,” King said.
Eight kids in 5th through 8th grade attended a Kids Broadcasting camp at the local radio station and created a one hour show for kids Saturday night. The phone rang off the hook as young broadcasters DJ’d a live radio show, ran the board, and took callers. Several kids won ice cream cones and Joseph Kerney of Valdez won 10 pounds of Jellybeans.
The Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby started with kids picking up a free hat and then fishing from shore or a boat to catch pink salmon. Once they caught a fish, they took a picture with themselves, the fish, and the hat. Four lucky kids were chosen at random to win $100 cash and eight other kids won fishing poles from the Valdez Prospector.
The kids that won the $100 prize in their age division were Artemis Kimber of Valdez, Hayley Conley of Fairbanks, Addyson Lyons of Valdez, and Michael Olsen of Salcha.
Avery Bugni
To see a slideshow of pictures and all the winners from the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby, visit: https://www.valdezfishderbies.com/kids-derby/. For more information on the Silver Salmon or Halibut Derbies in Valdez, visit www.valdezfishderbies.com
Mace King
5 to 7 Age Division
$100 Winner
Artemis Kimber | Valdez, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Scott Hadden | Valdez, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Annabel Vanbuskirk | Valdez, AK
8 to 10 Age Division
$100 Winner
Haylee Conley | Fairbanks, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Gunnar Christoffersen | Wasilla, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Heidi Christensen | Wasilla, AK
$100 Winner
Addyson Lyons | Valdez, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Paulette Keeton | Valdez, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Darren Vink | Palmer, AK
14 to 16 Age Division
$100 Winner
Micah Olsen | Salcha, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Delilah Fischer | Fairbanks, AK
Fishing Pole Winner
Mia Malchoff | Anchorage, AK