Juneau’s Annual Spring Salmon Derby
by BeckyAlaska on 05/20/08 at 2:26 pm
If you have been in Alaska long you know that the annual spring salmon derby is a pretty big deal. The derby began it’s 12th year on May 1st and will end on May 31st at 9pm. The derby is an opportunity to get out and enjoy SE Alaska waters, but it also is a chance to win a lot of great prizes, or even win the scholarship fish. The spring salmon derby is designed to be fun and provide residents a chance to get out and enjoy the water, boating and spending time with family and friends.
There are some specific rules for the salmon derby. A list of rules can be found at participating locations or on the salmon derby website (www.springkingderby.org). In order to actively participate in the derby you must purchase a ticket which costs $40.00. The ticket can be purchased at A&P grocery, Dehart’s, Harri Plumbing & Heating, Rayco Sales, and Western Auto Marine. Weigh stations are open daily and include Jerry’s Meat & Seafood, Alaska Seafood Cannery, and Dehart’s.
Fishermen (& women!), it is important to note that there are certain areas that are included in the salmon derby. Areas include north to Point St. Mary at Berner’s Bay, west to Danger Point, south to Point Couverden, southeast to Lizard’s Head just past Funter Bay and southeast from Twin Point to Pt. Styleman.
Local country radio station Taku 105 will announce updated winners lists each day. At the end of the derby there will be an award ceremony and prize distribution taking place at the Tlingit & Haida Vocational Training & Resource Center on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 6pm. It is a free event and a chance to see who the lucky derby winners were.
Living in Juneau I have come to enjoy seeing friends and family get psyched up about the derby and a month of fishing in a competitive nature. The derby is a signal that spring is here and summer is just around the corner, which means that there is a lot of good fishing ahead! Although I am not an avid fisher, I enjoy the opportunity to get out on the water to take pictures and capture the beauty of Juneau and beyond.
