Resident Dave Parks leads the 33rd annual King Salmon Derby after the Memorial Day weekend, with a 32.65-pound catch.
“It’s a long ways until winning,” Parks said. “I have high hopes.”
He plans to be back at the derby this weekend, as it runs 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Parks has entered the derby a dozen times, and said this year “definitely” is his best result.
His brother Steve Parks also reeled in a big fish aboard the 21-foot Li’l Buoy Blew – a 26.9-pounder that put him in fourth place.
“It was a great weekend for fishing,” said Kim Larson, event co-chair. “We caught 25 fish … The weather’s been great. (Monday) was slow, because, I think, it was so hot outside, but everyone seemed to be having fun.”
The winner will take home the $2,211 first prize, and a $740 bonus is offered to current Haines Sportsmen’s Association members.
Last year, Richard Hart set the mark at 28.75 pounds after the first weekend, when 24 fishermen turned in 30 kings. Toni DeWitt went on to win with a 33.4-pound king. The overall derby tallied 44 fish from 32 fishermen.
The derby, centered at Letnikof Dock, features more than $16,000 in cash and prizes.
The event is a fundraiser for youth activities, and Larson said she hopes to have a big haul this weekend.
“Last week, it was 97 rod hours per king salmon, so it was pretty slow fishing,” said Fish and Game biologist Rich Chapell. “That’s through Sunday, the end of our sampling week, but the catches were better during the derby than they had been earlier in the week, but there was a lot more effort.”
Organizers advise derby ticket holders that they must have their tickets punched again before fishing this weekend. Larson said anglers also should be wary of disqualification when they start their day.
“They can get disqualified if they speed off from the dock,” she said. “A lot of people were going out of there fast and making a wake on the dock, and that’s a no-wake zone.”
Complete derby results can be viewed online at the Facebook page, “Haines King Salmon Derby.”
The unofficial top 10 entries so far are: Dave Parks, 32.65; Tyrell Horton, 28.5; Tammy Piper, 28.3; Steve Parks, 26.9; Toni DeWitt, 26.85; Robert Piper, 26.7; Stuart DeWitt, 26.15; Jimbo Stevens, 25.50; Dave Stickler, 25.10; Stuart DeWitt, 24.6.