Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The first Salmon Derby in Juneau took place on Aug. 31, 1947. Originally, there were two judging stations at Tee Harbor and Auke Village Recreation Area. Thirty prizes were offered, including a Plymouth sedan and canned fruit, with the total value estimated at $4,500.
1949 the present three-day format was introduced, attracting 360 entrants who competed for $6,300 in prizes, including a car and 3,000 pounds of canned salmon. That same year, the Scholarship Fund was established with $1,000 from the sale of the 1953 Derby fish, boosted by the timing of the annual convention of Alaskan dentists with the Derby. By 1955, the Derby had grown significantly, with 2,000 participants competing for $12,000 in prizes and generating $2,000 for scholarships.
The 1963 Derby saw 4,000 participants, with 5-year-old Jody Pasquan winning the competition. Special prizes for the largest halibut were also introduced. Four $2,000 scholarships were awarded that year. By 1970, ticket prices had increased to $15, and the Juneau Yacht Club assumed responsibility for boat patrol.
The 1971 Silver Anniversary featured a special tagged fish worth $10,000. Roger Polley designed plaques for the top four winners. However, changes in state law complicated the Derby’s paperwork, and halibut prizes were discontinued.
In 1977, the Derby was moved to August to address concerns about the King salmon population and to provide more scholarship fish. The following year, safety concerns led to the elimination of starting “bombs,” and a special prize was introduced for fly fishermen.
Six tagged fish, each worth $1,000, were offered in 1979. However, controversy arose when new Fish & Game regulations prohibited hand trollers from participating in derbies.
By 1980, the Derby date was moved to late August to avoid conflicting with the Haines fair. The Federal Communications Commission intervened regarding radio broadcasts of the Derby, leading to the discontinuation of tagged fish prizes. Radio broadcasts resumed in 1983, and Amalga Harbor was added as an official station.
In 1985, the Derby area expanded to Pt. Styleman and ticket validation on the first fishing day were implemented to allow participants to stay on the fishing grounds. In 1986, tagged fish prizes were returned, with ticket prices at $25 and a $100,000 tagged fish on offer. Scholarship amounts increased to $8,000.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the introduction of more tagged fish and the use of downriggers. Ticket prices rose to $30 in 1992, and the Derby adopted a booklet-style brochure. Notably, 95-year-old Frank Zamora participated in the Derby that year.
The 1996 Golden Anniversary of the Derby saw 3,400 tickets sold and over $120,000 in prizes. Maggie Hall famously caught a $100,000 fish that year. The Derby also introduced its official website in 1997, with ticket prices increasing to $35 and scholarships rising to $10,000. The following year, prizes exceeded $85,000, and a contest for the best Derby photo was added.
In 1999, a $10 ticket for junior anglers (ages 12 and under) was introduced, and scholarship prizes were established for the top three weights turned in by junior anglers. The first derby of the new millennium saw an “outsider” win the top prize for the first time, with Wayne Sutherland of Boise, Idaho, catching a 36.9-pound King salmon to claim the top prize. The 2000 Derby was dedicated to Ladd Macauley and Chuck Porter, who contributed significantly to the community and the Derby’s legacy.
On the final day of the 78th Golden North Salmon Derby, Karie Sims currently leads with a 27.7-pound King salmon, followed closely by Cohen Odenheimer and Willie Hariss. Here are the current leaders from the KINY Leaderboard:
- Karie Sims – 27.7 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Cohen Odenheimer – 26.6 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Willie Hariss – 24.6 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Shirley Gray – Krkovich – 23.3 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Kylie Ibias – 21.1 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Randy Beason – 20.5 lbs King, Douglas
- Tritan Kahl – 19.1 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Peter Warden – 18.7 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Cianna Kahl – 18.4 lbs King, Auke Bay
- Lovie Smith – 18.3 lbs King, Auke Bay
The Golden North Salmon Derby has also focused on supporting education through its scholarship component. For each scholarship fish turned in, contestants receive one scholarship prize ticket for a chance to win one of the daily prizes. These daily prizes are drawn after the derby, with ticket numbers posted on the Salmon Derby website (goldennorthsalmonderby.com) on Wednesday, August 14.
Dock-to-Dock live coverage continues throughout the day on KINY, MIX 106, KXJ, and TAKU 105.
