14.54 – LaYonne Baysinger – Fairbanks, AK
VALDEZ, Alaska – The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby is this Saturday, and one lucky woman will be crowned “Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood.” Valdez Fish Derbies will give away $1,000 cash and $1,000 in prizes from Prospector Outfitters to the woman catching the largest fish Saturday. The 2nd place winner will get $500 in cash and $500 in prizes and the 3rd place winner will get $300 cash and $300 in prizes. The cost to participate in the Women’s Derby ticket is a $30 registration and a Silver Salmon Derby season ticket or daily ticket for Saturday. A daily Silver Salmon Derby ticket is just $10 and could net an angler a $10,000 1st place prize if they catch the largest silver salmon this season. Registration for the Women’s Derby is being held at Prospector on Galena Street 8am to 9pm August 9th through 11th and Saturday morning 6:30am to noon.
LaVonne Baysinger of Fairbanks said she will be babysitting grandkids while her daughter-in-law fishes the Women’s Silver Salmon Derby Saturday, but she is hopeful that 14.54-pound silver salmon she caught Friday will stay in the lead for the overall Silver Salmon Derby. Baysinger said she and her husband were fishing just past Sawmill Bay and caught their limit of six fish each in less than three hours. David Callos of Tok is currently in 2nd place overall with an 11.76-pound silver and Jens Saxum of Valdez is holding onto 3rd place with a 13.34-pound fish he caught July 29th. Last year’s winning silver salmon, caught by Marco Harvan of Tok, weighed in at 14.80-pounds.
This year’s Women’s Silver Salmon Derby will feature a Friday Night “Pirate Treasure Hunt“ that will have participants grabbing a Treasure Map at weigh-in and searching for clues and treasure. Everyone who registers for the Women’s Derby will get a 2023 Dog Tag and if their number is posted at sponsor locations, they will win instant prizes. There will also be an opportunity for women to compete in a Group Costume contest by taking a picture at the weigh-in station. There will be Door Prizes announced on the Women’s Derby Page of the Valdez Fish Derbies website and women will register to win one of three prize packages at registration. Leader boards just below the Harbor Masters Office and at the weigh-in shack will be updated as fish come in. Women’s Derby Weigh-In closes at 6pm on Saturday and all the winners will be posted at www.valdezfishderbies.com and at the weigh-in boards down at the Valdez Harbor. The theme of this year’s Women’s Derby is “Pirate” and participants are encouraged to dress up for the Friday night event and even while fishing Saturday.
In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Jim Jack of Lacey Washington is leading with a 252-pound fish he caught July 28th. Troy Dolge of Copper Center, Alaska is currently in 2nd place with a 203-pound halibut caught June 4th and Maren Russman of Erhard, Minnesota is currently in 3rd place with a 195.4-pound halibut caught July 26th. The Halibut derby runs through September 3rd. More information on Valdez Halibut Derby can be found at: www.valdezfishderbies.com.
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Jim Jack | Lacey, WA | 252.0 lbs. | July 28 | Sentinel
2nd Troy Dolge | Copper Center, AK | 203.0 lbs. | June 4 | Reflection
3rd Maren Russman | Erhard, MN | 195.4 lbs. | July 26 | Chugach Girl
Silver Salmon Derby – Overall Leaders
1st LaVonne Baysinger | Fairbanks, AK | 14.54 lbs. | Aug 4 | Fixed Income
2nd David Callos | Tok, AK | 11.76 lbs. | July 30 | Mai Sue II
3rd Jens Saxum | Valdez, AK | 11.34 lbs. | July 29 | Game Changer