Valdez Fish Derby Update: Silvers Moving In And Women’s Silver Derby Preview

The following is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

QUEEN OF THE SILVER SALMON SISTERHOOD TO BE CROWNED THIS WEEKEND AT VALDEZ WOMEN’S SILVER SALMON DERBY

VALDEZ, Alaska – The sun was shining and the silvers were big and bright this past week in Valdez. Raymond Martel said he was fishing on the outside of Goose Island and picked up his 13.48-pound silver while jigging. His fish won him a 1^st place daily prize in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby and put him on the top of the leader board. “We had a lot of fish that morning,” Martel said. “We certainly got our limit and threw back probably another 20 fish”. Martel said he likes to fish the derbies because the prizes are good and “sometimes you only have to have like an 11-pound fish to win a daily”. When asked what his chances of winning the $10,000 grand prize in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby are he said, “Slim to none. I think bigger fish are coming in”. Zechariah Weigerding of Fairbanks is currently 2^nd in the Silver Derby with a 13.40-pound silver and Corey Cooper of Cedar Rapids, IA is currently in 3^rd place with a 13.36-pound salmon.

With the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby coming up, odds are good that big silvers will be caught Saturday. Valdez Fish Derbies will give away $1,000 cash and $1,000 in prizes from Prospector Outfitters to the woman catching the largest fish The 2^nd place winner will get $500 in cash and $500 in prizes and the 3^rd place winner will get $300 cash and $300 in prizes. The cost to participate in the Women’s Derby is a $30 registration and a Silver Salmon Derby season ticket or daily ticket for Saturday. Registration for the Women’s Derby is at Prospector on Egan Drive 10am to 10pm Wednesday through Friday and Saturday 6:30am to noon. Last year, Addyson Lyons of Post Falls, Idaho was the winner of the Women’s Derby with a 15.14-pound silver salmon. Addyson took home a tiara and pink bathrobe fit for queen, in addition to cash and prizes

The theme of this year’s Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is “Tata’s, Tutu’s and XTRATUFS” and the Prize Crew will be out awarding prizes to women participating in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and Scavenger Hunt and Art Scramble Friday Night in Valdez. Everyone who registers for the Women’s Derby will get a 2026 Dog Tag and if their number is posted at sponsor locations, they will win instant prizes. There will also be an opportunity for women to compete in a Group Costume contest by taking a picture at the weigh-in station. There will be Door Prizes announced on the Women’s Derby Page of the Valdez Fish Derbies website and women will register to win one of three prize packages at registration. Leader boards just below the Harbor Masters Office and at the weigh-in shack will be updated as fish come in. Women’s Derby Weigh-In closes at 6pm on Saturday and all the winners will be posted at www.valdezfishderbies.com and at the weigh-in boards down at the Valdez Harbor. Women are encouraged to embrace the “Tata’s, Tutu’s and XTRATUF” theme and dress up for the Friday night event and even while fishing Saturday.

In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Rodney Myers of Franktown, Colorado is leading with a 256-pound fish he caught July 16^th. Shane Miller of Fairbanks is currently in 2^nd place with a 184.6-pound halibut caught on July 19^th and Daniel Lambaren of Valdez is in 3^rd place with a 169.2-pound halibut he caught July 16^th. The Valdez Silver Salmon and Halibut Derbies run through September 6^th. More information on Valdez Halibut Derby can be found at: www.valdezfishderbies.com.

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st           Rodney Myers                                Franktown, CO             256.0 lbs.         July 16                Hooked Up
2^nd          Shane Miller                                    Fairbanks, AK                 184.6 lbs.         July 19                Devil Dog
3^rd          Daniel Lambaren                        Valdez, AK                        169.2 lbs.         July 16                Hofstorm

Silver Salmon Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st           Raymond Martel                          Valdez, AK                        13.48 lbs.         July 31                Fishy Tales

2^nd          Zechariah Weigerding              Fairbanks, AK                 13.40 lbs.         Aug 2                  Slay In AK

3^rd          Corey Cooper                                Cedar Rapids, IA          13.36 lbs.         July 30                Trendsetter