Well ADF&G and the commercials pretty much took top honors this year. On top of heavy early netting in the traditional areas that affect Kasilof fish ... the newly implemented (new last year in use, long hidden in the old reg books) "Kasilof River Special Harvest Area" AKA the "Terminal Fishery" had a heavy hand on Kasilof anglers this year.

We'll never know how many kings were really caught, no will we know percentages ... but needless to say ... it left few for us during most of the derby. We had one off day of netting on the 14th which provided some decent fishing on the 15th and 16th. For over the next ten days ... the Terminal Fishery was used daily, much of it 24/7. Exploitation rates of sockeye were in the 90% range ... so it's likely kings weren't too far off of that

But some made it through and when the state finally pulled the fishery for a few days at the end of the month becuase they feared they would wipe out the late spawning component of the sockeye ... we had a few good days mixed in there. Funny ... the 1st and 2nd place fish were caught within 10 minutes of one another the first tide after the wall of death at the mouth was pulled.

First place winner was Mike Ault with a 53 pounder fishing with Matt Gersch (Early Fishing). He claimed about $1350.

Second place winner was Bill Kazsra with a 51.5 fishing with yours truly. He'll get a check for about $660 that will halp with his taxidermist's bill

Third Place winner was Jerri Berry with a magnificent 48.75 pound hen. She claimed $218.

Mike won second week's big fish, Joe Anderson (Bill Kazsra's bother-in-law) claimed big fish for week one with a 46.5 fishing again with yours truly. He recieved two days of silver fishing and two nights lodging from Kasilof River Lodge.

Lots of daily prizes for both small and big fish given away ... in most cases the prizes were a couple of guided fishing seats from river guides and one night of lodging at the Tustumena Lodge for smallest fish. Plenty of door prizes for free meals around the area as well.

Clients (or buddies / family on no-guide day) took big fish of the day honors on my boat 10 of the 15 days. Fishing was soo slow on a few days, some of these fish also took smallest honors as they were the only fish caught by derby entrants. In addition to paid 2nd & 3rd, we also had the 4th, 5th, and 6th largest fish weighed in.

Thanks to Cohoe Cove, especially James, for all his hard work, the Kasilof Eagles for sponsoring the derby and to all those participants and donors.

We're looking forward to next year!!

I'll post some pix from my boat in a couple of follow-up posts below