Jager Thurmond, 1st Place Winner in the 2025 Valdez Silver Salmon Derby
VALDEZ, Alaska – Jager Thurmond of Wasilla has been fishing Valdez for years but said this is the first time he has bought a derby ticket. And he said this is the only fish he has caught this year. “My favorite thing to do is watch everybody else,” said Thurmond. “I was supposed to be running the boat and everyone else was eating sandwiches and I just happened to grab the pole. I just got lucky.” Thurmond was fishing on his own boat August 27th when he hooked into the 15.32-pound silver salmon that won him $10,000 and he also picked up $1,000 for winning the Silver Salmon Slam tournament and a $500 Captain’s prize. Thurmond said he would likely use the money to visit the laws for Christmas, get something for himself for hunting and something nice for his wife. He caught his winning fish near the narrows early in the day and didn’t bring it back to get weighed until about 7:30pm. “I was guessing it was around 13-pounds”, Thurmond said. “We had it in the cooler the whole day and once we got to the harbor the lady that weighs fish was like, ‘That’s a pretty good one.’
Addyson Lyons, 2nd Place Winner the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby
Addyson Lyons from Post Falls, Idaho, who won the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby, stayed in the lead for the regular derby through August 24th, and ended up in 2nd place overall. Her 2nd place finish won her $3,000 cash. Lyons also won $100 in the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby, won $500 for catching the largest fish for Big Prize Friday and won $1,000 in cash and $1,000 in prizes for the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. Not a bad summer for a 12-year-old.
Barrett Wells of Valdez, Alaska
Barrett Wells of Valdez took 3rd place in the Silver Salmon Derby and won $1,500 cash for the 14.76-pound fish he caught from shore.
Lloyd Fanter, 2025 Winner of the Valdez Halibut Derby
In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Lloyd Fanter of Eagle River took home $10,000 for 1st place with a 264.8-pound halibut caught August 13th. James Cook of Bremerton, Washington won $3,000 with a 210-pound halibut he caught on July 19th and Richard Current of Oroville, California took 3rd place and won $1,500 in the Halibut Derby with a 206.6-pound halibut.
Over the course of the summer, close to 30 weekly winners took home prizes in the Valdez Halibut Derby and more than 40 anglers took home daily Silver Salmon Derby prizes. Valdez Fish Derbies also awarded two anglers $500 for “Big Prize Friday”, awarded Halibut Hullabaloo tournament winner Grant Klemp of Iola, Washington $1,000, gave away cash and prizes to 12 winners in the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby and crowned 12-year-old Addyson Lyons the Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood during the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. A list of all the 2025 winners the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby, Halibut Derby, Women’s Derby, Big Prize Friday, and Tagged Fish Contest can be found at www.valdezfishderbies.com.
The Valdez Fish Derbies are run by a non-profit committee of seven individuals that live and work in Valdez. This year’s Derby Coordinator Dana Morales was instrumental in soliciting sponsors, managing weigh-in, handling office derbies and putting on events. Ricky Colapietro was MVP of website updates, and the weigh-in staff and volunteers were amazing. Sponsors came through with support and tremendous prizes for 2025. Valdez Fish Derbies generates funds through ticket sales, sponsorships and event and merchandise sales. Revenues go toward cash prizes, operations, and marketing Valdez as a fishing destination.
Valdez Silver Salmon Derby Overall Winners
1st Jager Thurmond | Wasilla, AK | 15.32 lbs. | August 24 | Bear n Shrimp
2nd Addyson Lyons | Post Falls, AK | 15.14 lbs. | August 9 | Lyons Den
3rd Barrett Wells | Valdez, AK | 14.76 lbs. | August 27 | Off Shore
Halibut Derby – Overall Winners
1st Lloyd Fanter | Eagle River, AK | 264.8 lbs. | Aug 13 | Chugach Girl
2nd James Cook | Bremerton, WA | 210.0 lbs. | July 19 | Dan Orion
3rd Mel Grove | Palmer, AK | 185.4 lbs. | July 5 | Mel Fare