THERE ARE SOME big ones out there as last weekend’s two salmon derbies were highly successful, there’s been major movement at the top of the monthly Port Angeles Salmon Derby, and on top of that Port Hadlock will be hosting its own derby in about 10 days.
Huge kings were caught at both the Olson’s Resort’s 80th anniversary adult and kids salmon derbies in Sekiu, and at Big Salmon Fishing Resort’s kids derby in Neah Bay last weekend.
Big Salmon’s kids derby was very popular and successful as the young anglers and their parents swarmed Neah Bay last weekend.
There was a lot of movement on the fish ladder during the three days as bigger and bigger salmon were brought in.
In the end, though, Riley Rowe won the 12 and under category with Delaney Frame second and Thomas Cripe third while Vinny Baroga captured first in the 13-18 age category while Rylin Simpson was runner-up.
The top anglers won Xboxes for first place, bicycles for second and water guns for third.
Eldon Shofstall of Port Angeles, a Clallam Bay native, was the big winner of Olson’s Resort’s 80th anniversary salmon derby by hauling in a 20.4-pound king as was reported in Tuesday’s editions.
Eric Turnquist of Bremerton was second at 20.2 pounds while Rick Selkins of Pot Angeles took third at 20.1 pounds.
Shofstall won $4,000 for the top fish. (See photos of the fish derbies on Page B3.)
Port Angeles derby
The salmon also are getting bigger in the Strait as the top fish on the monthly Port Angeles Salmon Derby ladder knocked last week’s best catches farther down the ladder.
Ryan Clark of Port Angeles, who was first for the July ladder last week with a top chinook weighing 22 pounds, 12 ounces, has been knocked into third place.
The new leader is Dave Rice of Port Angeles, who caught a monster 32.13-pound king within the past few days, and leads by almost 9 pounds.
Second place right now goes to Mike Jones of Port Angeles, who caught a chinook weighing 23.15 pounds.
Clark now sits in third with his 22.12-pounder while Robin Kirkman of Port Angeles broke into the top four this week and currently is in fourth place with a 21-pound king.
Port Hadlock derby
Coming up is the fourth annual Chimacum Alumni Association Salmon Derby in Port Hadlock.
It is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21.
The derby is open to all and will be held in Marine Area 9.
Fishing is open from dawn to 3 p.m. July 20 and from dawn to noon July 21.
Weigh-in location is The Fishin’ Hole at the Port Townsend Fuel Dock, 199 Benedict St. in Port Townsend’s Boat Haven.
First place will win $1,000, second takes $500, and third-place and mystery-weight finishers will take home $250.
Prizes for fifth through 10th place will be donated by local businesses.
In the kids derby, children can win $100 for first place and bicycles for finishing second and third.
An awards ceremony will be held at the Port Hadlock Marina at 2 p.m. July 21.
Prize winners need not be present to win.
Tickets are $25 per adult, with children 14 and younger admitted free for the kids derby.
All anglers must have a ticket to participate.
Tickets are available at the event’s sponsoring businesses: Four Corners Store; Westside Marine, The Fishin’ Hole at Port Townsend Fuel Dock and LPL Financial Services/Rich Gastfield in Port Townsend; Eldridge Homes Inc. in Port Ludlow; and Olympic Equipment Rentals in Port Hadlock.
Suggested boat launches are Lower Port Hadlock Boat Launch, Fort Flagler State Park, Port of Port Townsend Marina, Mats Mats Bay or Port Ludlow.
Proceeds benefit scholarships provided by the Chimacum Alumni Association.
For more information, phone Billy Eldridge at 360-821-1007.
