Salmon derby ends; 27 kings entered this year

Charlie Webb, of Anchorage, took first place in Wrangell's 69th king salmon derby with his 43.5-pound catch on the opening day of the derby June 15. The annual contest closed on Sunday, June 30, and no one passed Webb.

Wrangell's Connor Blake won the 12-and-under youth division with his 22.6-pound king, caught near Fools Inlet on June 28.

It was the first king that Connor has ever caught and kept, said Tommy Wells, executive director of the chamber of commerce, which organizes the fishing derby.

The chamber was still working Monday to determine the prizes for the adult division, along with scheduling an awards night, Wells said.

Prizes in the 12-and-under category are $100 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third, sponsored by the Totem Bar.

Almost 160 people purchased tickets to fish in the derby, with 27 turning in kings at the weigh station over the two-week contest.

Webb caught his winning king near Point Warde while fishing with Alan Cummings of All In Charters. Of the 23 fish entered in the adult division, seven were caught around Point Warde. Webb's fish is the largest winner since 2017.

Wrangell's Diana Nore took second with a 38.1-pound king, also caught at Point Warde.

Third place went to Mike Ramsey, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, at 37.3 pounds, caught near Anan Creek. Wrangell's Iver Nore and Sigrid Vanek came in fourth and fifth with their 33.7-pound and 33.56-pound kings, both hooked at Point Warde on the same day, June 18.

Of the 23 entries in the adult division, seven were caught by out-of-town visitors.

Wrangell's Stuart Woodbury and Carsyn Christian took second and third in the youth division with their 20.9- and 19.9-pound catches.