$10K first prize in salmon derby
Published 4:58 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Sequim Gazette staff
Different weekend, same big prize for the biggest fish.
Because of a late season opening in Marine Area 6, the Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby has moved from Presidents Day weekend to one weekend later: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 20-22.
Formerly known as the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, the event attracts hundreds of participants from across the region to fish about 500 square miles across the North Olympic Peninsula, all vying for the derby’s grand prize of $10,000.
Those who don’t snag the top prize aren’t totally out of luck, though: it’s $2,000 in cash for the second prize and $1,000 for the third prize, and the event also features four “Mystery Fish” prizes take from all entries of 6 pounds or more, for $500 each, among 20 other derby prizes.
Tickets are $40 per person for one, two or all three days at local merchants: Brian’s Sporting Goods in Sequim, Swain’s General Store in Port Angeles, Longhouse Market & Deli in Blyn or several Port Townsend retailers (see gardinersalmonderby.org for a full list).
Or buy tickets online for $42.50 at gardinersalmonderby.org. No tickets will be sold at the ramps and ticket sales end Wednesday, Feb. 18.
All ticket-holders are automatically entered in the Northwest Derby Series fishing boat giveaway, usually worth more than $50,000, derby officials say.
A free barbecue is set for noon Sunday, Feb. 22, before the awards ceremony at the Gardiner Boat Ramp.
The derby is put on by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Reach it at PO Box 357, Sequim, WA 98382.
See gardinersalmonderby.org for fishing guidelines and fishing area boundaries.
Derby schedule
Friday, Feb. 20 — daylight-3 p.m. (weigh stations open at dawn)
Saturday, Feb. 21 — daylight-3 p.m. (weigh stations open at 8 a.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 22 — daylight-
1 p.m.(weigh stations open at 8 a.m.); awards ceremony at 3 p.m., Gardiner boat ramp
Weigh stations: Freshwater Bay Boat Ramp (near Joyce); Ediz Hook Boat Ramp (Port Angeles); John Wayne Marina (Sequim); Gardiner Boat Ramp (Gardiner); Port Townsend Boat Haven (Port Townsend).
Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby
Dates: Feb. 20-22
Tickets: $40 at retail outlets, $42.50 online
On the web: gardinersalmonderby.org
