Valdez Derby Buzz

The following report is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby brought hundreds of children to Valdez Saturday in hopes of winning a longboard, skateboard or fishing pole in the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby. This is the 8th Annual Kids Pink Salmon Derby.
The weigh-in station gave away 300 free t-shirts to kids age 5 to 16 that got a line wet. The winner of the 5- to 7-year-old age division was 7-year-old Jace Branshaw of Valdez, who won his age division and took top honors for largest fish in the derby with a 6.22-pound pink salmon. Abby Wease took second place and had the third-largest fish with a 5.44-pound pink. And a Valdez local, 7-year-old Autumn Boone, sealed third place in her age division with a 5.36-pound fish.

In the 8- to 10-year-old division, Calvin Todd of Fairbanks took top honors as well as the first-place place prize of a longboard with a 5.40-pound pink. Aaron Williams of Fairbanks was back again to win the division for a second year in a row, in the 11- to 13-year-old age division with a 5.46-pound catch. Logan Heckathorn won the 14- to 16-year-old division with salmon weighing 5.28 pounds.

In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Fred Hyder still leads the way with the 253.8-pound halibut he caught July 10 aboard the Jaime Lynn. Milton Fujino of Hawaii is currently in second place overall with a 216.8-pound halibut he caught July 12 aboard the Jaime Lynn, and Candice Janke caught her first halibut ever and got on the board in third place overall with a 215.8-pound halibut. The Silver Derby started Saturday and hopes are high for a great year.

In the Silver Salmon Derby, Victona Herman of Montgomery, Texas took an early lead with a 12.88-pound silver she picked up July 19 aboard the Sound Affair. Bud Corbin of Santa Barbara, California is currently in second place overall with a 11.28-pounder he caught July 19 aboard the Martie Kay. Finally, Eloisa Saunders of Washington is currently in third place overall with a 10.34-pound silver she caught July 18 aboard Reel Nuts.

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Fred Hyder Willow, AK 253.8 lbs. July 10 Jaime Lynn
2nd Milton Fujino Kaneohe, HI 216.8 lbs. July 11 Jaime Lynn
3rd Candice Janke Fairbanks, AK 215.8 lbs. July 18 Aleisha

Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners – Week #8
1st Sandra Smith Santa Fe, NM 143.6 lbs. July 19 Dan Orion
2nd Patrick Matt Salihor, AK 102.0 lbs. July 19 Dan Orion

Silver Salmon Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Victona Herman Montgomery, TX 12.88 lbs. July 19 Sound Affair
2nd Bud Corbin Santa Barbara, CA 11.28 lbs. July 19 Martie Kay
3rd Eloisa Saunders Jelm, WA 10.34 lbs. July 18th Reel Nuts
Kids Derby Winners on Next Page
Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby – 2015 Winners

5 to 7 Age Division
1st Jace Branshaw Valdez, AK 6.22 lbs.
2nd Abby Wease Salcha, AK 5.44 lbs.
3rd Autumn Boone Valdez, AK 5.36 lbs.

8 to 10 Age Division
1st Calvin Todd Fairbanks, AK 5.40 lbs.
2nd Gracey Garrett Fairbanks, AK 4.94 lbs.
3rd Camden Masson Fairbanks, AK 4.78 lbs.

11 to 13 Age Division
1st Aaron Williams Fairbanks, AK 5.46 lbs.
2nd Brad Baker Valdez, AK 5.10 lbs.
3rd Liberty Gum North Pole, AK 5.00 lbs.

14 to 16 Age Division
1st Logan Heckathorn Valdez, AK 5.28 lbs.
2nd Caleb Hughes Wasilla, AK 5.10 lbs.
3rd Kailey Fowlkes North Pole, AK 5.04 lbs.

For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: valdezfishderbies.com

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