Kayla Meissner accepts the Youth Derby prize of a new bike and $250 from Wrangell Derby committee member Kim Covalt at the Nolan Center.
Randy Churchil III examines a hatchet as a potential prize during the Salmon Derby awards ceremony June 12.
Fishermen and fishing enthusiasts gathered at the Nolan Center June 12 to garner cash and prizes for the 2014 Salmon Derby.
The Derby has been held since 1953, said master of ceremonies Jeff Angerman.
"A lot of years have gone by, and it was quite a successful derby," he said.
Kelley Krumm took first place in the adult tourney, earning $6,000 plus a $500 weekly prize. Bruze Kautz won the $4,000 second prize with a 40.1-pound fish, as well as the Week 2 $500 weekly prize. Solvay Bakke took third place, $2,000, a $2,500 Memorial Day Weekend prize and a silver bracelet on the back of a 39.5-pound fish.
Weekly prizes also went to eighth place finisher Derek Meissner and eleventh place finisher Shawn Curley.
Kayla Meissner took the top youth prize of $250 and a new bike, with a 30.8-pound salmon, big enough for 35th overall. Jamie Early trailed with a 29.2-pound fish, good enough for $100, plus a $50 donation from State Rep. Peggy Wilson. Jim Baggen garnered third place with a 28.3-pound fish, earning $50 and a $50 donation from Wilson.
The awards also honored 190th place finisher Cole Rowland, age 4, the youngest person to catch a salmon. Cole's catch was 18.2 pounds. This was Cole's second straight year as the youngest fisher prize.
The oldest person to boat a fish was 84-year-old Elmer Mork Sr. who finished in 117th place with a 24.7-pound Salmon.
The remaining youth participants garnered $25-donations from Sunrise Aviation and the Wrangell Lions Club. They were, in order of place: Jim Fenton, Logan Ritchie, Terra Hoyt, Leroy Travers, Lane Sanford, Randy Churchill III, Mia Wiederspohn, Della Churchill, Caity Galla, Jacen Hay, Rown Weiderspohn, Aubrey Travers, Gunner Rowland, and Hunter Wiederspohn.
Bruce Eagle, 70, won the $250 Art Clark Prize for the largest fish caught by a derby participant 65 and older.
Archie Young won the $250 Aileen Meissner Prize for the largest fish caught on May 28.
Steve Urata won two Alaska Airline tickets in a drawing. Rayme Privett won $250 cash. Scott Curley won $150, and John Yeager and Michelle Massin – eventually – won $100.
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