Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby Sees Big Fish, Great Fun; New Overall Silver Derby Leader

The following is courtesy of Valdez Fish Derbies:

16.02-POUND FISH LEADING SILVER DERBY, 14.98-POUND FISH WINS WOMEN’S DERBY
Attachments include picture(s) of Tiffany Wells & Women’s Derby Events

VALDEZ, Alaska – Cheryl Wagner of Copper Center said she came down to Valdez a day early to find out where the silvers were before competing in the Women’s Derby. Wagner did a lot more than scout for fish, she found a whopper of fish Friday that put her solidly in first place in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby. Wagner’s fish weighed in at 16.02-pounds and could win her $10,000 if it stays in first place through the end of the derby September 6^th. Wagner’s fish is the largest fish caught in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby since 2018 when Aksel Hutchinson of Valdez brought in a 17.28-pound salmon.

Wagner won a 1^st place daily prize in the derby and could win some serious money in the derby, but she caught it too early to become “Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood”. That title belongs to Tiffany Wells of Valdez who caught a 14.98-pound silver on Saturday. Wells lives in Valdez and she and her husband took the Coast Guard morale boat out with some friends Saturday. They fished all day out at Goose Point, and she got her 14.98-pound fish weighed just six minutes before the Women’s Derby weigh-in closed. “So, this year, I feel like there were a lot more fish out there and there are bigger fish,” said Wells. In addition to winning a crown, pink bathrobe, and $2,000 in cash and prizes, Wells won the 1^st place daily prize in the regular silver salmon derby and is currently in 3^rd place overall. Elena Oldani of Valdez took 2^nd place in the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby with 14.84-pound fish and Barb Lyons took 3^rd place with 14.24-pound fish. Jasper Hickman of Sultan, Washington moved to 2^nd place overall in the Silver Salmon Derby with the 15.62-pound fish he caught August 5^th

The theme of the 2026 Women’s Derby was “Tata’s, Tutu’s & Xtratufs the Friday night event included a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at the Harbor, costume contest and a scavenger hunt and Art Scramble that had participants painting rocks for a Breast Cancer Awareness Rock Garden. 

In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Rodney Myers is leading with a 256.0-pound halibut he caught July 16^th. Jason Sackman of Newmann Lake, Washington is currently in 2^nd place with a 191.4-pound halibut and Shane Miller of Fairbanks is currently in 3^rd place with the 184.6-pound halibut he caught June 19^th. 

Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby WINNERS

1^st           Tiffany Wells                   Valdez, AK                        14.98 lbs.         Aug 8                   Knot on Duty

2^nd          Elena Oldani                  Valdez, AK                        14.84 lbs.         Aug 8                   Crista June

3^rd          Barb Lyons                      Valdez, AK                        14.24 lbs.         Aug 8                   Lyons Den

Valdez Silver Salmon Derby Overall Leaders

1^st           Cheryl Wagner              Copper Center, AK      16.02 lbs.         Aug 7                   Chasin’ Memories

2^nd          Jasper Hickman           Sultan, WA                       15.62 lbs.         Aug 5                   Hofstorm

3^rd          Tiffany Wells                   Valdez, AK                        14.98 lbs.         Aug 8                   Knot on Duty

Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders

1^st           Rodney Myers                Franktown, CO             256.0 lbs.         July 16                Hooked Up
2^nd          Jason Sackmann         Newman Lake, WA     191.4 lbs.         Aug 8                   Hofstorm
3^rd          Shane Miller                    Fairbanks, AK                 184.6 lbs.         June 19              Devil Dog.