Salmon derby to open Saturday

The scale needle tipped at 74.4 pounds in summer 1955, and it’s stayed there ever since.

Local and visiting anglers will have their chance at unseating Doris Iverson’s record Salmon Derby catch – still on display at the Wrangell Museum – starting this Saturday with the opening of the annual Wrangell Salmon Derby. The event has drawn dozens of anglers to local waters since 1953 in search of the elusive record-breaker – the runner up was eight pounds lighter, a 66.1-pound fish boated in 1974 by Max Dalton – or at least a fish big enough to win the annual crown.

Last year’s winner, caught by Jeannie Easterly at Aaron’s Creek, claimed the $6,000 prize and a silver bracelet. Weekly prizes for the biggest catch come in at $500.

This year, the Sentinel will run the weekly results in our Thursday editions. Anglers are reminded to stay within the designated fishing areas. To the northeast, the boundary is an invisible line between Gerard and Blaquiere Points. To the northwest, the boundary is a line drawn between Point Alexander on Mitkof Island and Low Point on Zarembo Island. Due west, entries are accepted between Steamer Point and Point Nesbitt. To the south, the boundary line is between Menefee and Watkins points.

Last year’s second place fish weighed 40.5 pounds and was caught at Found Island by Mark Soeteber. The third place fish was a forty-pounder caught by Jeff Soles off of the Elephant’s Nose.

Overall tournament prizes this year are $6,000 for first place, $4,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third place. A youth competition first prize is worth $250.

More information is available from the Chamber of Commerce.