New Valdez Halibut Derby Leader Emerges As Silver Salmon Derby Kicks Off

The following is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

210 POUND FISH LEADING VALDEZ HALIBUT 10.28-POUND SALMON LEADING SILVER DERBY
PINK SALMON BAG LIMIT INCREASED TO 12 FISH PER DAY

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 1^st place daily prize and take a solid lead in the derby. Ted Arnberg of Valdez won the 2^nd place daily prize for July 19 and is currently in 2^nd place overall with a 9.82-pound fish. Vickie Martel of Valdez is currently in 3^rd 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 2^nd place in the overall standings with his 185.4-pound fish and Kreed Jones of Chugiak, Alaska is holding onto 3^rd place overall with a 177.8-pound halibut he caught July 2^nd 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 31 and features daily 1^st and 2^nd 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 1^st and 2^nd place prize winners, Valdez Fish Derbies will be hosting a Women’s Silver Salmon Derby August 9^th. Valdez Fish Derbies is also hosting a Silver Salmon Slam tournament where the person who catches the largest silver salmon between August 22 and 31 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 25^th, and August 29^th.

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 8^th centered around the theme “Flower Power – Peace, Love & Fishing”. Cash and prizes will be awarded for the top 3 largest fish caught Saturday, August 9. Registration is at the Valdez Prospector August 6 through 9. The Women’s Silver Salmon Derby Page on the Valdez Fish Derbies website has all the information. 

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st          James Cook                    Bremerton, WA             210.0 lbs.         July 19                Dan Orion
2^nd          Mel Grove                         Palmer, AK                        185.4 lbs.         July 5                   Mel Fare
3^rd          Kreed Jones                     Chugiak, AK                    177.8 lbs.         July 2                   Hofshore

Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners

1^st          James Cook                    Bremerton, WA             210.0 lbs.         July 19                Dan Orion
2^nd          Noah Wilkins                 Wasilla, AK                      164.2 lbs.         July 16                Hooked Up

Silver Salmon Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st           JC Koss                              Fort Meyer, FL                10.28 lbs.         July 19                Mistress
2^nd          Ted Arnberg                     Valdez, AK                        9.82 lbs.            July 19                Mary Red
3^rd          Vickie Martel                  Valdez, AK                        9.24 lbs.            July 19                Fishy Tales

For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com
If you would like to be removed from the Valdez Fish Derbies press release list,
Please respond by e-mail and ask to “unsubscribe” – Thank You!