The 2011 Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby kicks off on Presidents Day weekend, February 19-21.

More than $22,000 in prizes, including a $10,000 first prize, already have been posted, with more expected, derby officials announced last week. Second prize is $5,000; and any submitted fish, of any weight, might win the $1,000 “mystery fish prize.”

 

The huge fishing event for winter blackmouth chinook salmon spans 500 square miles of water, with five weigh stations. Formerly the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, it is now hosted by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a Washington nonprofit corporation that supports local emergency services and other community needs in the Gardiner and Diamond Point areas.

 

Tickets for the event cost $40 for one day or all three days. Tickets went on sale during the first week of January and can be found at many area merchants (see derby website for details). Advance tickets also are available online, at www.SwainsInc.com, although time is running out to receive these by mail. 

Tickets will be available at the five launch ramps, but only on Saturday, Feb. 19, and only as long as they last.

For more information and event rules, visit www.GardinerSalmonDerby.org.