10.18 – CD Nuno – Philomath, OR – Littlester – 7-24
VALDEZ, Alaska – Saturday kicked off the start of the Valdez Silver Salmon derby and the harbor was not only busy with anglers coming to port with halibut and silver salmon, but young anglers competing in the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby. Several anglers at the fillet tables had carts with pink salmon, silver salmon and an occasional king salmon. Others came to Port with carts full of halibut, lingcod and rockfish. Kian St. Amand caught a pink salmon and entered it in the Kids Pink Salmon Derby before 1pm Saturday and then captured the 2nd place daily prize in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby with a nice 9.38 pound silver salmon.
St. Amand is currently in 2nd place overall in the Silver Salmon Derby behind CD Nuno of Philomath, Oklahoma who caught a 10.18 pound silver salmon on Saturday. Nuno took home the 1st place daily prize. Hailey McNabb of Delta Junction is currently in 3rd place overall with her 8.98 pound catch.
The Valdez Silver Salmon Derby runs through September 5th and has daily 1st and 2nd place prizes, as well as a $10,000 Grand prize for the largest fish caught during the season. The cost of a daily derby ticket is $10 and a season ticket is $50.
The Valdez Halibut Derby is going strong and boats are still returning to Port Valdez with nice catches of halibut, lingcod and other bottom fish. Now that silver season has started many charters are picking up silver salmon also on their way back to town. Maren Russman of Lino Lakes, Minnesota is currently leading the Valdez Halibut Derby with a 214.8 pound halibut she caught June 21st. Terrence McCabe of Valdez is currently in 2nd place in the Halibut Derby with a 202.0 pound halibut caught July 5th and Caleb Hughes is holding onto 3rd place in the overall standings with a 160.4 pound halibut he caught July 16th.
Valdez Fish Derbies is now gearing up for Silver Salmon Big Prize Friday and the 2021 Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. Big Prize Friday is July 30th and the angler catching the largest silver salmon that day will win $500 in addition to the regular prizes. The Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is Saturday, August 14th. The Women’s Silver Salmon Derby Page on the Valdez Fish Derbies website has all the information.
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Maren Russman Lino Lakes, MN 214.8 lbs. July 21 Nunatak
2nd Terrence McCabe Valdez, AK 202.0 lbs. July 5 Only Fins
3rd Caleb Hughes Palmer, AK 160.4 lbs. July 16 Reflection
Halibut Derby – Weekly Winners
1st Maren Russman Lino Lakes, MN 214.8 lbs. July 21 Nunatak
2nd Kyle Dearborn Wasilla, AK 131.4 lbs. July 21 Reflection
Silver Salmon Derby – Overall Leaders
1st CD Nuno Philomath, OK 10.18 lbs. July 24 Littlester
2nd Kian St. Amand Valdez, AK 9.38 lbs. July 24 Go Get Her
3rd Hailey McNabb Delta Junction, AK 8.98 lbs. July 24 Kai Moana
For more information on the Valdez Derbies, visit: www.valdezfishderbies.com