For the derby enthusiast here is a link to an article with the entire Northwest Salmon Derby Series 2010 schedule:

Northwest Salmon Derby series 2010 schedule

out of the 16 events scheduled on the series I believe 15 are in Puget Sound.

Don’t know how they come up with guaranteed dates yet, as WDFW hasn’t set 2010 salmon seasons yet…but who cares, just details. The $100,000 1st prize is for the July 1st & 2nd Anacortes derby….bet that’ll draw some serious effort!! Good luck to everyone in 2010!

6,600 is alittle steep for me but i guess that if you asked if some one had some "grey poupon" they`d probly have some

what suck that it's a stupid ass Derdy, I realy wish that they would start having Tournaments like they do every were else. Total weight of the boat divided by the number of anglers on that boat. Then after day one you cut the field in half. So a field of 100 boats get cut to 50 on day two and you start at zero for you weight. Then after weigh in you cut the 50 boats down to the final 25 and zero on weight again only that top 25 boats got for the money . That’s the only way that the best anglers will ever win. Derby’s are like playing Indian Poker there per Sh#t house luck . It seem like the best anglers never win Derby's. To catch one big fish and win shows NO skill at all just luck.

This isn't a bass tournament.

Why not fish for skill not luck that what the bass guys have to do. are you saying that Salmon fishing is just luck.

That's not the point that Bass fishing sucks the point is that Derby's suck because the best fisherman never win's. I just think that most Salmon fisherman would be scared to put up the money to have to show there skills for 3 days in a tournament. 2000.00 a boat in not much to pay to walk away with 40,000.00 or more in cash inless your to scared or your not a good fishierman. I just think it's time to step up this game.

that's what I thought no one want's to talk about this

Your not too bright noplunkin. Bass fishing does suck and the derby just doesn't. Any yes I said it BASS FISHING SUCKS!!! Even in Bass fishing your skill doesn't mean a whole lot. That derby is on opening day of the summer king fishery hence no one gets to prefish. That kind of money 6600 per boat you don't think the guys paying to fish it will be skilled or be some of the best fishermen? If there was such a thing as salmonmasters I would join the tour!

I'm Not putting down derby's there a great way to get a lot of peaple together and fish for a chance to win money.I just feel that luck plays a bigger part in a one day one big fish win's all. Would it not take alot more skill to have to catch alot of big fish for two or more days and have to have a limit ever body in the boat ever day to move on to be in the money. Thats all I'm trying to say

And if there was a salmonmasters I would be in all in. Thats what I'm trying to say why is the not a salmonmasters or somthing like that. It would be great to see it happen

Noplunkin

I think you should start your own derby.

Not only will this derby draw the best of the best, but someone is going to walk away that much better!

I think your rite and I have brought it up many time's at many places and it's seems no one wants to fish that way up here, they do it on the Columbia every year at bouy 10. So why not in Puget Sound.

Salmon don't do to well in live wells and the temptation to up grade would be huge. Your odds would be better to fish alone and the average guy wouldn't be able to afford it.I see your side of it I just don't think it would work or go anywhere. I do like the side league idea for a tournament that is part of the major derbies. All hatchery fish must die no culling of course.

YOU GUYS DON"T GET IT. Im not putting down this derby or any. I would just like to see some big money in a tournament format thats all I'm trying to say. I believe that you will get better angler if they had to fish for 2 or more day and limit the boat every day to get into the money

Yes they don't do well in a live well but thats your choice to let it go and try for a bigger fish

I am not sure where you're located, but come on down to Point Defiance for the montly derby... It's only $5. If you want to fish against/among skill, get past the 25 or so old farts that still fish everyday (when open). All of these guys have a minimum of 40-years at the helm, with some in the 50 to 60 year range on the water. Mention luck and you might get a meatline folded over your noggin'. Win twice in the same year and you might gain some respect from the elders... Then you will hear the word luck!

Yea.... bring back the Schucks $1,000,000 fish so we'll have 47,000 boats trying to catch one fish!

Yep there's some luck in catching a large salmon on derby day, but there's huge differences between catching ditch pickles from a sparkle barge and targeting larger salmon... Depressed runs cannot support your tourney idea- sorry.

BTW, there are a few derbies that are more than more day in duration, and some of them do have "team" total weight slots....

Easy bud. I would have your back on this if it was possible. Bass tournaments work mainly because of sponsorship, advertising and professional bass fisherman. They can fish year around and there is real money to be made from it. Take a look at how much some of the top guys make. Compare a bass tournament in WA to one in the SE. It's a joke. The reason we are stuck with derbies for salmon is because they can be won by anyone and that's why enough people show up to make it worth while to put them on. I would love to hope that someday the fishing opportunity would be good enough to support it but I just don't think it will ever happen. Hope i am wrong cause naturally I would whip everyone's ass and go salmon pro....

The best fisherman doesn't always win- regardless of the format. However, he who wins most often is usually regarded as the best fisherman- regardless of the format. There is an element of luck in fishing.
And by the way- if you really love the pursuit and the challenge of being able to find consistent success BASS FISHING DOESN'T SUCK. I know, it's not the popular thing to say on a salmon/ steelhead board...

Most good (and humble) fisherman will agree that of all the different anglers, a successful bass angler is the most well rounded and skillfull of all. I'm just sayin...