McGee Skates Through To End Of Halibut Hullabaloo
VALDEZ – Donna McGee thought she had a skate on her line as she reeled up two airline tickets from Alaska Airlines. The 198.5 pound halibut McGee caught June 14th put her in position to win the 11-day Halibut Hullabaloo tournament in the Valdez Fish Derbies and the first place prize of two round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska airlines flies. McGee knew her fish had a chance of winning the Valdez tournament, but with a week left in the Halibut Hullabaloo she was not making any reservations.
McGee said they had caught about five skates in Prince William Sound on their 2-day halibut adventure, so when she felt a tug she assumed it was another one. “The skates took longer to bring in than the halibut”, McGee said. “It took about 20 minutes for my halibut”. “We had just a great trip,” said a smiling McGee. “We saw porpoise one day and killer whales the next”. Upon returning to Port, McGee was disappointed her fish did not break the 200 pound mark and was skeptical about winning the Halibut Hullabaloo. “I think it’s still too early to tell if I’m going to be in the lead”, McGee said. “but I’d go to Hawaii. I’d like to fish in Hawaii”.
The tournament ended Sunday night and with no one topping McGee’s fish, she can now rest easy and make plans to catch a big one in Hawaii. “Just buy a derby ticket because you just don’t know when something big is going to get on your line”, remarked McGee.
McGee’s fish was big enough to win the Halibut Hullabaloo, but it wasn’t big enough to break into the overall standings in the regular Valdez Halibut Derby. Marvin Ray Williams of Fairbanks is still in the lead to win the $15,000 first place prize with the 275.6 pound halibut he caught June 7th. McGee did win the 1st place weekly prize with the 198.5 pound halibut she caught aboard No Excuses and Matt Kraska of Fairbanks won the 2nd place weekly prize with the 145.7 pound halibut he caught June 14th aboard the Dan Orion.
Halibut Derby - Overall Leaders
1st Marvin Ray Williams Fairbanks, AK 275.6 lbs. June 7 Otter Dodger
2nd John Pare Valdez, AK 203.1 lbs. June 7 Faithful
3rd Mike McDaneld Wasilla, AK 201.9 lbs. June 6 Dawn Treader
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners
1st Donna McGee Valdez, AK 198.5 lbs. June 14 No Excuses
2nd Matt Kraska Fairbanks, AK 145.7 lbs. June 14 Dan Orion
A video interview with Ray Williams and Dennis Petre can be found at www.kvakradio.com.
Valdez Fish Derby standings, rules and events are all available at the valdezfishderbies.com website. The Kids Pink Salmon Derby is July 18th and the Silver Salmon Derby will begin July 25th.
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