Resident Steve Anderson won this year’s second annual Haines Sportsman Association’s Silver Salmon (Coho) Derby’s first and second place prizes.
Anderson caught a 13-pound coho, the heaviest fish turned in, and won a $1,000 prize. He also won the second-place secret weight prize along with $500. The secret weight for second place was 11.25 pounds. The angler who caught a fish closest to the weight won.
A third-place secret weight prize was divided between Royce Dombrock, Shannon Willard and Jack Strong who all caught fish weighing 8.8 pounds. The overall prize was $350. Each angler was awarded $120.
Jack Strong fished almost every day, but only turned in three fish. He said he caught three fish on Saturday last month and didn’t turn them in until Monday because of the mudslides at 19 and 23 Mile. “They lost a few pounds,” Strong said. “I said ‘Heck, I’ll turn it in anyway.’ It turned out that was the mystery weight.”
He said he doesn’t typically fish with a rod and reel, and this was his first year competing in the derby. His son, a fishing guide down south, gave him some tips, Strong said. “Once I got the hang of it, I was addicted.” Strong said. “It was a lot of fun, that’s for sure. I’m definitely going to sign up next year.”
The Sportsman Association sold 61 tickets. Thirty anglers turned in a total of 191 salmon, said Sportsman Association treasurer Cheryl Stickler.
The derby began in early September and ended Oct. 31. The $25 entry fee proceeds will go toward the Barbara Campbell Memorial Scholarship for a graduating senior.
Last year, a group of friends from Canada caught the first and third largest silver salmon during the derby.
The Sportsman Association’s annual king salmon derby has been canceled the past four years due to king population declines and fishing restrictions.
The Sportsman Association board is planning on holding the fall derby again next year, Stickler said.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game area sport fish biologist Rich Chapell said silver salmon escapement is estimated at 66,000, near the upper end of the 70,000 fish escapement goal. “Early in the month it looked really bleak on the spawning grounds because the water was so low,” Chapell said. “When the rains came, bam, they moved in.”
Anderson wasn’t available to comment by press time.