Lindy Vitatow, 2024 Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood
VALDEZ, Alaska – Lindy Vitatow of Valdez was crowned Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood. Vitatow’s silver salmon was the largest weighed in for the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. At 12.0-pounds, her fish was the only one to break the 12-pound mark on Saturday. Vitatow won $1,000 in cash and $1,000 in prizes from Prospector Outfitters in addition to the tiara and pink Bathrobe embroidered with “Queen of the Silver Salmon Sisterhood.” Vitatow also won the 1st place daily prize in the regular Valdez Silver Salmon Derby and is currently in 3rd place overall. Debra Lancaster of Valdez caught her very first silver salmon on Saturday in Jacks Bay and her 11.38-pound silver took 2nd place in the Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby. Julie Anderson of Wasilla, Alaska took 3rd place in the Women’s Derby with an 11.26-pound silver.
2nd Place – Debra Lancaster, Valdez AK
Ten-year-old Finley Nyback from Anchorage was in contention for one of the top three spots early on in the derby with the 10.64-pound fish she caught on Saturday. Finley and her younger sister Sylvia both caught bigger fish than their mother Sonnett, but Mom couldn’t have been happier. Sonnett said they caught several seven and eight-pound fish out by Glacier Island, but Finley caught the first fish of the day and it was more than 10 pounds. “I love the sense of community that’s around the women’s derby,” Sonnett Nyback said. “I love seeing all the women come out and participate in the events. I love seeing women out fishing.” Finley didn’t end up placing in the Women’s Derby but she made some great memories participating in the Carnival Treasure Hunt event Friday night and fishing with her family Friday night. When asked what advice she had for people wanting to fish Valdez, Finley replies, “Keep working hard, and you should be able to catch your fish.”
3rd Place – Julie Anderson, Wasilla AK
In the Valdez Halibut Derby, Natalie Cevasco of Fairbanks is leading with a 205.0-pound halibut she caught August 8th. Gary Nygren of Westminster, MD is currently in 2nd place with a 198.2-pound halibut and Dennis Moore of Bremerton, Washington is currently in 3rd place with the 190.4-pound halibut he caught July 13th.
Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby WINNERS
1st Lindy Vititow | Valdez, AK | 12.00 lbs. | Aug 10
2nd Debra Lancaster | Valdez, AK | 11.38 lbs. | Aug 10
3rd Julie Anderson | Wasilla, AK | 11.26 lbs. | Aug 10
Valdez Silver Salmon Derby Overall Leaders
1st Joel Stephens | Ardmore, OK | 13.02 lbs. | Aug 2 | No Name
2nd Pam Rameau | Houston, TX | 12.94 lbs. | July 27 | Faithful
3rd Lindy Vitatow | Valdez, AK | 12.00 lbs. | Aug 10
Halibut Derby – Overall Leaders
1st Natalie Cevasco | Fairbanks, AK | 205.0 lbs. | Aug 8 | Getting Some
2nd Gary Nygren | Westminster, MD | 198.2 lbs. | Aug 3 | Sentinel
3rd Dennis Moore | Bremerton, WA | 190.4 lbs. | July 13 | Dan Orion
More Women’s Silver Salmon Derby Winners
Door Prize Winners
Bailey Gittins, Valdez AK
Mackenze Gregg, Shakopee MN
Jennifer Watson, Valdez AK
Haylie Anzelini, Anchorage AK
Alexis Kalipano, North Pole AK
Clarissa Mashburn, Anchorage AK
Autumn Cole, Wasilla AK
Amy Scott, Fairbanks AK
Vikki Church, Cottonwood AZ
Anglia Foster, Fairbanks AK
Costume Contest Winners
Melissa Clampitt & Crew
Lisa Cassino & Friends –
Clowning Around
Amy Lynch & Crew –
Popcorn Anyone?
Registration Winners
Laken Unger – Camping Package
Angie Woods –Carhartt Apparel Package
Sharon Daniels – Footwear Prize Package
Treasure Hunt Winners
1st Place – Heimdall’s Babes
(Group Leader – Jessica Panko)
2nd Place – Silver Salmon Sisters
(Group Name – Diane Gibbs)