Port Angeles Washington - The Authentic Northwest.

The 2012 Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby will be held over Presidents Day Weekend, February 18-20 2012. Like last year, the 2012 event is huge – with 500 square miles of fishing, five weigh stations, and a $10,000 first prize. This year there are three great Mystery Fish prizes. This event, formerly the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, is hosted by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that supports area emergency and other services. This winter blackmouth classic is part of the Northwest Marine Trade Association’s “Northwest Salmon Derby Series.”

 

Association president Dan Tatum is excited. “This should be another great derby. Last year was fantastic, but this year should be even better.” Derby volunteers will staff weigh stations at all five launch ramps: Freshwater Bay, Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, John Wayne Marina in Sequim, Gardiner, and Port Townsend Boat Haven. Submitted fish will be inspected but won’t be collected, so the weigh-in process will be fast and efficient. Every fish submitted has a chance to win one of the three Mystery Fish prizes – $1,000, $500, and $500. There will be many other great prizes as well. The awards ceremony will be held on Monday the 20th at the Gardiner Boat Ramp at 2:00PM, and will also include a cash prize raffle. Tatum adds “Before the Monday awards ceremony, this year we’re having a free BBQ starting at 11:00. It will be a fun time for anglers and local neighbors.”

 

Tickets for the event cost $40 for one day or all three days. Tickets go on sale the first week in January at many area merchants, and also on-line at www.SwainsInc.com. (Tickets will also be available at the five launch ramps, but ONLY on Saturday 2/18.) Ticket sales will be limited, so be sure to get a ticket early! This event uses selective fishery – clipped-fin hatchery fish only – and it benefits emergency and other vital services for Gardiner, Diamond Point, and nearby communities. For more information, including derby rules, visit www.GardinerSalmonDerby.org.

 

Contact:

Dan Tatum, 360-797-7710

This huge fishing competition is for Winter Blackmouth Chinook salmon, and boasts 500 square miles of water, five weigh stations, and a great prize list – including $10,000 and $5,000 top prizes, plus a $1,000 “mystery fish prize” that any submitted fish can win. Great donations are starting to appear, and organizers expect a final list of 40-50 prizes, many in cash. Tickets are limited, so get yours early! This fishing derby, formerly the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, is part of the NMTA’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series. It is hosted by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a Washington State Nonprofit Corporation supporting local emergency services and other community needs in the Gardiner and Diamond Point areas. Derby president Dan Tatum is excited: “Early signs look promising, and everybody should have a good chance to land some fish, especially with so many good spots to hit.” Despite its size, Tatum expects a smooth event. “We won’t be cleaning and collecting fish, and with five weigh stations we can handle many boats and lots of salmon.” The event’s five launch ramps are at Freshwater Bay, Port Angeles, Sequim, Gardiner, and Port Townsend, and all have weigh stations. The awards ceremony is at 2:00PM Monday the 21st at the Gardiner Boat Ramp. (Note that for legal reasons, some prizes will be distributed by mail shortly after the derby.) 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 website for details). Advance tickets are also available on-line at www.SwainsInc.com. Tickets will be available at the five launch ramps but ONLY on Saturday 2/19 and ONLY as long as they last. This event uses selective fishery – clipped-fin hatchery fish only. For more information and event rules, visit www.GardinerSalmonDerby.org. And good luck!