The 2012 Anacortes Salmon Derby!!! 1
The Anacortes Salmon Derby has become nothing short of a hot ticket!
This springtime stop on the Northwest Salmon Derby Series has sold out in as little as ten days! The 2012 edition took a bit longer: "Well, it was nail-biter…" explains derby Chairman Jay Field "It took 27 days… I blame the weather…"
The weather would figure into the derby fishermen's plans as well with Small Craft Advisory winds forecast for the entire weekend. Fortunately, Saturday dawned flat calm and anglers could fish wherever they pleased!
It's the venue that sets Anacortes apart from most other events as the gang at Cap Sante Boat Haven (www.portofanacortes.com) rolls out the red carpet and a circus tent! The tent acts as a headquarters and is large enough to seat 800 anglers!
First order of business for the weekend-long Anacortes Salmon Derby is getting the boat in the water. A sling launch and moorage is included in the price of your derby ticket!
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"Big Red" the 710 ESPN Seattle flagship takes her place alongside of John Keizer's "Salt Patrol" Lowrance boat.
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The Anacortes Salmon Derby kicks off Friday night with a "Captains Meeting". At 6pm, the crowd assembles for a few fishing seminars, safety info and a review of the rules.
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Once the scale closed at noon on Sunday, the top five fish are displayed and envious onlookers marvel at the size of these plump hatchery chinook!
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The final leader board shows Ted Radke's 21.72 slab caught on Saturday morning holding up as the eventual winner.
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Island ace Rod Nau shows off his fourth place 21.20 pounder in front of the Derby Series Grand Prize boat.
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Anacortes Salmon Derby Chairman, the "Reverend Captain" Jay Field prepares to address the crowd and announce the winners.
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A proud and happy Ted Radke and his young son hold the plaque and check for $15,000 and are crowned winners of the 2012 Anacortes Salmon Derby!
I refer to the Anacortes Salmon Derby as the "gem" of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series and it's not just because of the $25,000.00 purse. The San Juan Islands are a world class fishing destination, Cap Sante Marina rolls out the red carpet for anglers and the town of Anacortes opens it arms and welcomes anglers to this event.
For anyone interested in starting a derby, one could do a lot worse than using the Anacortes Salmon Derby as a blueprint!
Tom Nelson
710 ESPN Seattle
The Outdoor Line 6-8 am Saturday
Nice post Nelly, I didn't see any fish pics with big red & the crew. Forget your camera?