With two weeks remaining in the third annual Haines Sportsman’s Association coho derby, resident Steve Anderson is in the lead as of Oct. 14 with a 13.3-pound silver salmon.
Residents Olen Larson and Tomi Scovill are in second and third place, catching a 13.2- and 13.1-pound fish, respectively. Brooklyn DeWitt is leading the youth division with a 10-pound coho.
Sportsman’s Association president Dave Long said the group has sold 98 tickets so far this year despite the U.S.-Canadian border being closed, garnering even more participation than the 70 tickets sold last year when Canadians participated.
“We’re really happy with the ticket sales,” Long said. “It’s exceeding our expectations.”
Anderson won the first coho derby and says he’s happy so many locals are taking advantage of the fishing opportunities.
“The virus helped. It gets people to go outside,” Anderson said. “I’ve been seeing lots of people out there that usually don’t fish. The Chilkoot run’s pretty much over. I’m going to start fishing on the Chilkat side now. I like to fish at Jones Point so you can catch the fish coming in fresh.”
Long said the $25 derby tickets are on sale until the derby ends on Oct. 29. Tickets are available at Outfitter Sporting Goods and Alaska Sport Shop. All proceeds go toward prizes and the association’s scholarship fund. Long expects good fishing conditions as weather improves.
“Good weather’s coming,” Long said. “This cold, cooler, non-rainy weather is going to make the river clear up and shrink so it will make for some good fishing.”
Long said the sportsman’s association is encouraging catch and release if participants don’t plan on eating their catch, and everyone who purchases a ticket is eligible for prizes including two round-trip tickets to Juneau with Alaska Seaplanes and a $200 gift certificate to Outfitter Sporting Goods, among other prizes.
The angler who lands the largest fish wins $1,250 cash. The second- and third-place prize includes $650 and $400 cash, respectively. All top three finishers will receive a $200 gift certificate to Outfitter Sporting Goods.