GARDINER — Ticket sales were down because of the stormy weather, but still, the 2012 Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby was another huge success, said Dan Tatum, president of Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, the derby sponsor.
“On the 2012 Presidents Day Weekend, we got to see why the Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby got the nickname Iron Man Derby,” Tatum wrote in a news release.
Strong winds, rain and unsettled weather tested the mettle of derby anglers.
Nevertheless, despite marine advisories and challenging conditions, fishing results were good.
A total of 217 winter blackmouth chinook salmon were submitted, with an average weight of 8.44 pounds.
Tatum is upbeat about the results.
“The derby went really well, despite the bad weather that kept many people away,” Tatum said.
“The weather hurt our ticket sales this year – the weather, plus the difficult economy.
“Still, we had a great derby, and the fishing results prove it.”
Anglers were in competition for a tremendous prize list worth $25,089 – including a $10,000 first prize.
The final prize ladder had 52 winning fish.
The smallest prize-winner was 10.25 pounds, and the winners had an average prize-winning weight of 12.32 pounds.
About 643 fishing tickets were sold. Derby officials were hoping for between 800 to 1,000 anglers but the weather didn’t cooperate.
The first prize of $10,000 went to John Otness of Tacoma, for a 17.60-pound salmon (See list of top fish on Page B2 in Thursday’s editions).
The $5,000 second place prize went to Steven Sevilla of Discovery Bay with a 15.50-pound fish. (All weights are in decimal pounds, not pounds and ounces.)
In third place, for $1,500, was David Hansen of Port Angeles with a 15.30-pound salmon.
Fourth place ($500, donated by 7 Cedars Casino of Blyn) went to John Calkins of Shelton with a 15.0-pound fish.
All prizes, except the large cash prizes, were donated by area residents and businesses.
The large prizes are funded through ticket sales.
Net proceeds from each annual derby support local emergency services and other important community needs, in accordance with the charter of Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that runs this ongoing annual event.
“This year, we’re helping to buy a Thermal Imaging Camera for the Diamond Point volunteer fire station,” Tatum said.
“This is a piece of equipment they can really use but isn’t in their budget.
“We’ll provide more details about this donation at the Appreciation Dinner.”
This annual community potluck dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 at the Gardiner Community Center.
The dinner coincides with the association’s annual meeting.
There was a good turnout for Monday’s salmon derby awards ceremony, which began at 2 p.m. at the Gardiner Boat Ramp.
This event followed a free barbecue for anglers and also the local community.
Five “Mystery Weight Fish,” topped by a $1,000 prize, were selected at the awards ceremony.
All fish submitted during the event were eligible for these mystery fish prizes.
The Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby uses selective fishery exclusively – only clipped-fin hatchery fish can be submitted, Tatum said.
This decision was made several years ago when the state imposed selective fishery rules in many marine areas, he added.
“Because fishing derbies put pressure on wild stocks, this annual event provides leadership in practices for a sustainable, year-round fishery,” Tatum said.
The derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, run by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA).
All derby ticket-holders are entered in the NMTA’s end-of-year (September) grand-prize boat drawing.
For pictures of the derby, a complete list of the fish submitted, and other details, visit the derby website at www.GardinerSalmonDerby.org.