Former winner Scarrott
leading king derby
By Jessica Edwards
Summer resident Sheldon Scarrott landed a 33.9-pound king
salmon near the dock in Letnikof Cove on Monday to take the lead in the 31st
Haines Sportsman’s Association King Salmon Derby.
The derby continues Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.
Fishermen are competing for $2,631 in cash
and prizes. Awards will be given to the heaviest 16 fish, the 31st fish
submitted, and to top youth and Canadian anglers.
Thirteen fishermen submitted 14 fish to derby officials
in the first three days of the five-day event. Organizers estimated about 100 people
participated.
“It was better than everyone thought it would be,”
said sportsman’s association president Kim Larson. “The weather was great.
Everyone says next weekend will be better.”
Scarrott said he didn’t expect the 33.9-pound fish
to hold a lead through next weekend and, weather dependent, planned to head out to the far
side of Chilkat Inlet on Saturday. “I think there’s some bigger fish on the
other side.”
He said wind made for bumpy seas and tough fishing Monday
for the Jean Verne, his 22-foot Starcraft. Many boats Monday sought shelter in Letnikof
Cove. “I don’t do well in the wind. It’s difficult to troll, especially if
you have a light boat.”
Scarrott won the derby in 2002 with a 40.85-pounder, and
landed the second place fish (42.75 pounds) in 2005. Son and fishing partner Steven
Scarrott turned in the top fish in the 30th derby in 2007, a 38.65-pounder.
Haines Sportsman’s Association cancelled the 2008
derby after projected low abundance prompted Fish and Game to close the popular fishery in
Chilkat Inlet to king salmon harvest.
Shel Scarrott attributed his family’s derby record
to luck. “I don’t know, I guess we’re not going to tell” our fishing
secrets. “We’re a lucky bunch, I guess.”
Other derby fishermen submitting kings last weekend were
Janis Horton, 29.3; Troy Fotta, 28.3; Robert David, 28.1; Jason Shull, 27.1; James Blilie,
24.65; Janis Horton, 22.35; Linda Hickman, 21.85; Ray Staska, 20.75; Julie Ferrin, 20.4;
Lucy Hirsh, 18.35; Ryan Cook, 16.15; Jeff Klanott, 14.65; and Dean Olsen, 13.75.
Fish and Game biologist Rich Chapell said river
conditions indicated the Chilkat River king run might come through later than normal this
year, similar to 2007.
Thirteen fish were submitted during the first three days
of the 2007 derby, but that number leapt to 49 in the event’s second weekend.
Forty-eight kings were submitted to the derby in 2006.
