2008 Discovery Bay
Salmon Derby

Welcome!

Welcome to the 2008 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby.

The 2008 Derby is here!

Brochures and posters have been distributed, tickets are on sale, and we’re just about ready for some fishin’.

New state rules require 2008 selective fishery

There are big changes afoot for area salmon fishing. Local anglers are already aware of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 2007/2008 sport fishing rules – which introduced a selective fishery in Marine Areas 7 and 9. Only fish with clipped fins can be legally taken; wild Chinook salmon must be released.

This is clearly the way of the future for the area salmon fishery, which seems to be moving toward a year-round fishery based on released hatchery fish.

Because of this change, the 2008 Derby will be based on Selective Fishery. All fish submitted for this year’s Derby must have clipped fins.

Fortunately, 77% of last year’s huge 133-fish ladder had clipped fins – including the first- and third-place winners. So 2008 results should be good, despite the rules change.

About the Derby

The Discovery Bay Salmon Derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, sponsored by the Northwest Marine Trade Association.

Our Derby always has great prize lists, and we expect another year of generous contributions from local supporters.

We also expect even better-staffed, more-smoothly running operations at drop-off/weigh-in locations at the main launch ramps.

So keep watching this site, and get ready for the 2008 Derby!

Photo by Frank Reddy, P.T. Leader.

2007 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby winner Jack Gourlie
of Cape George caught the 18 pound 7 ounce winning
salmon on Sunday. First prize was $3,250 ($3,000 for
largest fish in Derby, $250 for largest fish on Sunday).
Click here for more pictures.

Photo by Dan Tatum.

Some of the 133 fish submitted at the
2007 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby
Click here for more pictures.

News

• Annual Derby Appreciation Dinner – 29 March 2008
  
  Another fine Derby dinner was held at the Gardiner Community Center on Saturday evening, 29 March 2008. About 90 people shared a potluck dinner – featuring trays full of salmon that were generously donated, as always, by many Derby competitors. Music this year was provided by Diamond Point’s own Final Approach. To see Dick Bennett’s pictures of the evening, click here.
  
  
  

  Photos by Dick Bennett. At the 2008 Appreciation Dinner.

  
  
  
• 2008 prize boat Northwest Marine Trade Association, sponsor of the has Northwest Salmon Derby Series, has provided a great new picture of this year’s prize boat, taken recently on Hood Canal. Click here for details on the boat drawing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Breaking news from Fiji! Garrett & Heather!

  Just in from our South Pacific bureau, some snaps of Garrett and Heather Bandy who have tied the knot in Fiji.
  
  
  

  All together: Awwwww.
  
  
  

  
  
  
• More Derby photos. Rich Quinnell has provided 102 new images from the 2008 Derby. View them here.
  
  
  

  Photos by Rich Quinnell.

  
  
  
• Awards ceremony photos. Dennis Martin and Wendell Paulsen have provided a large number of great photos from the awards ceremony. View them here.
  
  
  

  Photos by Wendell Paulsen. At the 2008 awards ceremony.
  
  
  

  Photos by Dennis Martin.
  Corinne Dennis with Zachary “The Bobber” Campbell; and on right, the Discovery Bay antique fire truck.
  
  

  Photos by Dennis Martin.
  The winners:
  John Goldingay (1st place, 19.4 lbs., Driftwood Key)
  James Hicks (2nd place, 18.6 lbs., Port Townsend)
  Jay Campbell (3rd place, 14.9 lbs., Port Townsend)
  At right is the $75,000 prize boat that some lucky angler will win. Everyone who bought a ticket for this Derby (or who buys a ticket in the other 13 NMTA series derbies) is automatically entered in the 9/6/2008 drawing. (Click here for boat drawing details.)
  
  A perfect awards ceremony after a perfect Derby. Click here for more pictures.

  
  
  
• Final standings are in. 113 fish, caught by 110 anglers. A great Derby. Great weather, lots of fish.
  
  We had a number of additional prize winners turned in Monday, though overall the fish didn’t seem to be biting as well. Click here for the latest standings. Click here for the awards press release.
  
  
• Sunday pictures. Dick Bennett and Wendell Paulsen have added many more great pictures from Sunday events. View them here.
  

  Photos by Richard Bennett and Wendell Pauslen.
  More great memories of perfect Derby conditions. Click here for more pictures.

  
  
  
• Another big day: 103 fish on the ladder as of the end of Sunday. We had 19 new fish turned in today, and we turned away about 25 that were too small for a prize. So there are a lot of people eating salmon tonight.
  
  We have a new second place at 18.6 pounds, and the average prize-winning weight is now 11.22 pounds. The average on the entire ladder (but not counting the ones turned away) is 8.5 pounds.
  
  Click here for the latest standings.
  
  
• Additional raffle prizes. A few last-minute donations have added several hundred dollars of additional prizes to our awards-day raffle. (We tried to trim the raffle down to just a few big-ticket prizes, but our sponsors wouldn’t let us!) You can see the current list here.
  
  
• Saturday pictures. Dick Bennett has added many great pictures from Saturday events. View them here.
  

  Photos by Richard Bennett.
  It wouldn’t be a Derby without Corinne gutting 84 fish in one day. Click here for more pictures.

  
  
  
• A dramatic start to this year’s Derby: 84 fish on Saturday, including one biggie at 19.4 pounds, and several in the 12-15 pound range. At present, the smallest fish winning a prize (other than the tiny 3.2 pounder currently in the lead for the Smallest Legal Salmon Prize) is 7.5 pounds. So don’t even bother turning in any more fish between 3.2 and 7.5 pounds. Check back Sunday for more news. Click here for the latest standings.
  
  
• Derby setup snaps. Wendell Pauson took a bunch of nice pictures of Friday’s Derby setup. Check them out here.
  

  Photo by Wendell Paulsen.
  
  Fun and games on Friday.
  Click here for more pictures.

  
  
  
• Emergency access from Beckett Point. We have just been told that Beckett Point will be available for emergency use by Derby participants. They can’t offer parking like last year, due to their complicated water treatment project which has been in the news. So don’t plan on using it as a launch location; but if you get into trouble, their ramp would be a safe place to take your boat out of the water.
  
  
• We have finally posted the 2008 prize list, with another year of generous contributions from local supporters. For a smoother awards ceremony, we have eliminated or combined the ‘dinky’ prizes, giving us a great lineup of 40 fishing prizes, with a minimum value of $50 and a combined value of over $10,000. We used the same approach with the raffle, eliminating small prizes and focusing on six big items, with a combined value of over $1,200.
  
  
• For technical reasons, Derby tickets at the Swain’s website were not working for a while; but they can now be found at the top of the home page under ‘Contests and Events.’ However, since there’s not much time left to receive tickets by mail, consider visiting Swain’s or one of the many other area merchants; or just buy a ticket at one of the three main launch ramps during the Derby itself.
  
  
• John Wayne Marina is again offering three days of Derby launch fees for the price of one. Click here for details.
  
  
• Derby funds were used to buy two new defibrillators for the District #5 Fire Department, at a cost of $11,000. This was an important contribution – at a time when Department funds have been squeezed, and yet capital purchases were necessary.
  
  
  

  Two Zoll M defibrillators
  Photo by Dan Tatum
  

• The Port of Port Townsend has decided to waive launch fees at all its boat launches. Click here for details.

Earlier news items

• This site now contains all the basic information for this year’s Derby, as presented in the 2008 brochure. You can download the 2008 brochure and posters by clicking here.
• The Derby Committee is meeting on 10/25 to work out the major details for the 2008 Derby. Expect an update here with basic information shortly, and a complete set of rules and other details within the next few weeks.
  
  

  Past news items from the 2007 Derby

  • Another set of pictures has been posted from the 2007 Salmon Derby Appreciation Dinner. Click here to see them.
    
    
  • Here’s some surprising news: Mike Thornburgh has apparently sold his legendary Fish’n Hole to the Port of Port Townsend. We all wish Mike the best of luck in his future endeavors. We understand that he stressed the importance of the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby to the new owners, and so we look forward to their support next year. (However, they have a tough act to follow: Who could do as much for the Derby as Mike has?)
    
    
  • The Derby’s own Dan Tatum and George DeBruyn were fishing in Freshwater Bay today (15 March) and landed these handsome fellows.
    
    
    

    Dan Tatum at Freshwater Bay
    Photo by George DeBruyn
    

  • A few pictures have been posted from the 2007 Salmon Derby Appreciation Dinner.
    
    The dinner is an annual gala event for Derby volunteers. A few salmon are donated by generous Derby anglers, and everybody brings a potluck side dish (at least that’s the idea). This dinner is a real reward for the hard work of the Derby.
    
    As usual, Gardiner’s own renowned chef André Mercier prepared the fish flawlessly. The salmon was served with a stunning cream sauce that brought smiles and shaking heads. (Last year’s sauce was more delicate, with an herbal perfume of tarragon. But this year’s effort was much more intensely-flavored. The salmon swam in a rich bisque, redolent of a highly reduced shellfish fumet, cream, cognac, and a complex melange of other flavors. At least, that’s how it struck this happy diner.)
    
    
    

    Saumon Sauvage Mercier
    Photo by Dan Tatum
    Click here for more pictures.

    
    After dinner, a $7K Derby check was presented to the Fire Department, to help fund an ongoing $90+K equipment replacement project. Although the bulk of the project’s funds came from a Homeland Security grant, partial local funding was required. This check was a final, critical slice of the budget. Strong local support is essential when applying for external grants. The remainder of this year’s $13K revenue will be available for additional equipment, training, or other requirements.
    
    A check was also presented to the Gardiner Garden Club, for its work running the Derby raffle.
    
    We’ll try to add more details about 2007 financial results in the coming weeks.
    
    
  • Here’s a big 22 lb. fish caught on Sunday March 3rd by Jim Hicks and Danny (Too Tight) off Marrowstone island. Wayne Chisholm says “Too bad he did not catch it 2 weeks ago during the Disco Derby because he would have won first place.” It’s been an impressive season so far.
  

  A big fish caught after the Derby
  22 pounds when weighed at the gas dock
  Caught by Jim Hicks and Danny (Too Tight)
  Not part of the Derby – too bad
  
  Click here for more pictures.

  • We’ve added a few more pictures taken by Dan, Claudia, and the Hamels. But on the whole, we have fewer pictures than last year. Please, anybody with derby pictures: Get them to us so we can post them! Click here to see the current crop.
    
    
    

    Photo by Jim Conquist
    Click here for more pictures.

  • The raffle prize list has been posted: click here for a list of winners. All the prizes have been distributed (including a couple that were sent via the mail). If you are listed as a winner but for some reason have not received your prize, please let us know. We’ve added lots more pictures taken by Virginia.
  • The first few pictures have arrived. Click here to view them.
    
    If you have images for the website, please either send them to us on a CD or (if they’re not too huge) email them to us. (Most email systems limit you to a few megabytes. Please check sizes before emailing! Fifty images of 2Mb each would be 100Mb and that won’t work via email. We can come up with other means of transferring files if getting us a CD isn’t convenient.)
    
    
    

    Photo by Frank Reddy, P.T. Leader.
    
    2007 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby winner Jack Gourlie
    of Cape George caught the 18 pound 7 ounce winning
    salmon on Sunday. First prize was $3,250 ($3,000 for
    largest fish in Derby, $250 for largest fish on Sunday).
    Click here for more pictures.

  • We have finished our most successful Derby in years – perhaps ever. We finished with a fantastic ladder of 133 fish, submitted by 112 anglers. Over $12,000 in prizes were awarded; and even more important, we had great weather and lots of good fishing. Participants and volunteers are unanimous in calling this Derby a great one. A press release is available describing the results. The first-place fish was 18 pounds 7 ounces. Click here for the final standings.
    
    Keep checking back for photos, which will be posted over the next few days.
    
    
  • Monday begins with a ladder of 116 fish caught so far. The first-place fish is 18 pounds 7 ounces.
    
    
  • Sunday wraps up with 55 more fish caught today – for a total of 116 fish so far in this outstanding Derby. We have a new first-place monster at 18 pounds 7 ounces. This is already the best Derby in many years.
    
    
  • WOW! Sixty-one fish on Saturday! We are on our way to an amazing Derby.
    
    
  • A strong start on Saturday! Early results as of midday Saturday are looking good. Click here for the latest standings.
    
    
  • Free launch and parking at Beckett Point! We have just been told that Beckett Point is being made available for free use by Derby participants. This generous offer by our neighbors adds a great launch location within Derby boundaries. (Note that no Derby officials or weigh station will be present at that location, and that no plans have been made regarding access from here in future years.)
    
    
  • Prize list update: Fishing prizes now total over $12,200 and raffle prizes total over $2,400. Click here for prize details.
    
    
  • Mike Thornburg reports good news from the Roche Harbor Derby this past weekend, promising good results for our own Discovery Bay Derby:

    “The [Roche Harbor] derby was won with a 21 pound fish, taken 10 minutes after the starting gun. They were cut plugging 4-inch herring down to 3-inch. There were fish taken by most everyone I knew in the Derby. Just a sign of fish around. I’ve got one guy here, Troy, who has made 4 trips to Lip Lip Point and caught 4 fish. Even have seen some from Midchannel. Weather looks good and we have fish around. Wayne said Eastern Bank was loaded with bait when he came back from the [Roche Harbor] derby this morning [Monday 2/12]. Our Derby should be great.”

    And Debbie Sandwith at Roche Harbor Market reports:

    “Well what can I say, tons of sunshine & lots of fish, it was a wonderful Derby & huge success!”

    For more information, see this story in The San Juan Islander. Here are final results from the 4th Annual 2007 Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational:

    Under excellent weather conditions with little or no rain, and sunshine all day Saturday the following results from the [2007 Roche Harbor] derby are as follows:

    • 98 Derby Boats; total 326 Anglers
    • 55 fish weighed in on Friday February 9, 2007
    • 34 fish weighed in on Saturday February 10, 2007
    • Total Fish weighed in 89

    
    
    

    2007 Roche Harbor Derby Results
    $10,000	1st Place	Mike Simms	Roche Harbor, WA	21.03
    $5000	2nd Place	Andy Holman	Friday Harbor, WA	20.05
    $1,500	3rd place	Dave Reep	Mt. Vernon, WA	19.03
    $1,000	4th Place	Bobby Collins	Arlington, WA	18.05
    $1,500	Best Boat Total Weight	Dale Nelson Paul McAbee Jed Buchholz	Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Thornton, Colorado	59.9

    
    
    

Schedule

The 2008 Derby will run Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 February, from daylight until 3 pm, continuing Monday, 18 February, from daylight until 12 noon. The award ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm on Monday, at the Gardiner Boat Ramp.

Three fish drop-off/weigh-in stations will be in use this year: Port Townsend Boat Haven’s gas dock, John Wayne Marina, and the Gardiner Boat Ramp. (The old Diamond Point station is no longer in use.) Note that all three drop-off locations now also have weigh stations.

[Final press release at Awards Ceremony]

Fantastic 2008 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby

GARDINER, 18 February 2008 – This year’s 32nd Discovery Bay Salmon Derby continued the trend of the last few years, with more fish caught, more anglers competing, and bigger prize winners. On Saturday a starting 84 fish were turned in, overwhelming Derby volunteers. On Sunday, anglers were told not to bother turning in fish smaller than 7.5 pounds. By Sunday afternoon, the cut-off was 9 pounds for a chance at the 43 prizes. Fantastic weather on all three days, and excellent advance media coverage, meant an outstanding turnout. A total of 113 salmon were submitted by 110 anglers, competing for around $11,000 worth of prizes. Another 40-50 smaller fish were turned away, to keep from swamping the prize ladder, and many anglers caught small fish but didn’t try to turn them in. So the catch rate was good.

The first prize of $3,000 (plus $250 for the biggest fish on Saturday) went to John Goldingay of Driftwood Key, with a super fish of 19.4 pounds. Second prize of $1,500 (plus $250 for the biggest fish on Sunday) went to James Hicks of Port Townsend, with a fish of 18.6 pounds. Third prize of $750 was claimed by Jay Campbell of Port Townsend, with a fish of 14.9 pounds. Fish weren’t biting as well on Monday, with most entries being turned away as too small to win a prize. But Brian Lux got $250 for the biggest fish on Monday, with a nice 12.1 pounder. Fish prizes were awarded for the top 43 salmon, plus the $500 “Smallest Legal Salmon” prize, earned by Kevin Hornbaker of Oak Harbor, with his tiny 3.2 pound fish caught on Saturday. Congratulations to all!

The award ceremony was held at 2:00 pm on Monday at the Gardiner Boat Ramp, where prizes were awarded and a raffle was held. The top raffle prize was a luxury overnight casino package plus $500 in cash, donated by Seven Cedars Casino in Blyn.

Derby official Dan Tatum couldn’t be happier. “This has been a great Derby. The weather was perfect, and we had lots of satisfied anglers and lots of hard-working volunteers. And the best thing is what it shows us about Selective Fishery. This year it was ‘Clipped Fin to Win’ yet we had more fish than last year. Even though the average fish was a little smaller, the top prize winners were bigger. This all means we have a sustainable fishery.” Tatum is referring a change in 2008 Derby rules, in which only hatchery fish were accepted for prizes. Changes in Washington State rules have limited taking of wild salmon to certain times and areas. To provide a ‘level playing field,’ and also because of concerns about wild salmon stocks, the 2008 Derby excluded wild fish. (Note that 77% of last year’s Derby fish had clipped fins, including the first and third place winners.) This year’s results speak for themselves.

The Discovery Bay Salmon Derby is the longest-running in Washington, with four decades of local support for vital emergency response services at Jefferson County’s District #5 Volunteer Fire Department. Most fishing derbies in the state are run to support fishing clubs or for profit, but the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby makes a direct community contribution. This event is often called the ‘Iron Man Derby’ due to the chance of nasty weather, but this year the sun smiled on us again.

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 September 6th 2008 grand prize boat drawings -– a $75,000 23-foot center console Pacific Boat, and (for under-16 anglers) a 14-foot Stabi-Craft boat. The NMTA had the big boat on display at the awards ceremony.

Gardiner’s own amazing Corinne Dennis once again cleaned every fish that was submitted, performing her quick aquatic surgery while standing in waders. Bystanders watched in awe. There are plenty of pictures of Corinne, and all the other participants and volunteers (as well as a complete list of the fish submitted) at the Derby website www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com (this site).

[Article for Gardiner Community Center Newsletter]

2008 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby

We’re just a couple of weeks away from our 32nd Discovery Bay Salmon Derby – four decades of local support for vital emergency response services. On Presidents’ Day weekend (16-18 February), anglers from our community and from far away will compete for over $10,000 in cash and other prizes, including a great $500 “Smallest Legal Salmon” prize contributed again this year by chef and neighbor André Mercier. Many neighbors who don’t even fish still buy tickets, to help support the Fire District (and to get a chance at the $75,000 boat drawing -- more on that below).

The Derby has long been an important feature of our community. Every year, it generates a vital chunk of money for our Jefferson County Volunteer Fire District #5. The Derby is an important source of capital funds, used for equipment and training. The Derby has never lost money, and has often come through with cash at critical times. Most recently, $11,000 in Derby funds paid for two new defibrillators, which Chief Bob Wilson calls “a huge improvement for our citizens” for safety and compliance. As everyone here knows, increasing traffic on Route 101 means more and more emergency calls...yet we get no additional State funds after responding to such calls. It’s simply a duty for every fire department. So a spate of tourist accidents can play havoc with budgets...and the first item to go is often needed equipment replacement. That’s where the Derby can step in.

Derby ramrod Dan Tatum observes “Gardiner is brought together each year by the Derby. Volunteers, sponsors, and Derby participants all combine to help us maintain our local emergency services. Ours is the ONLY salmon derby in the state like this – many are just club projects or money-making ventures.” That’s why the same families and organizations contribute money, prizes, and time every year. Our biggest supporters are right here in Gardiner, Discovery Bay, and Blyn.

The first Derby was in 1973, making ours the longest-running Derby in the State. It began when volunteer firefighters needed to buy equipment. A Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed (more recently replaced by the Derby Committee), which worked tirelessly for years raising funds and running the annual chuckwagon. Much has happened since 1973, including some tough years (such as when the State closed the salmon season – after all the Derby tickets had been printed!). Today, in our 32nd Derby, we are seeing a great future. The new wider fishing area, which now runs from Dungeness to Whidbey, means that boats can launch from Port Townsend and John Wayne Marina, and it gives a wider choice of water and fishing conditions each day (during what in February can be dodgy weather).

This year’s Derby uses “Selective Fishery”: Only fish from hatcheries may be turned in (no wild fish). This is due to State rule changes, which now limit the taking of wild fish in most areas, to protect wild stocks. This change is no surprise, and is the way of the future: 77% of last year”s ladder were “clipped fin” fish, including the big first and third prizes.

Whether or not you fish yourself, everybody in the area should come down to the Awards Ceremony at 2:30 on Monday 18 February. There’s always a good time, with plenty of kids, dogs, food from the chuckwagon, hats and t-shirts, and a raffle with some great prizes. And speaking of prizes, be sure to visit our website to find out about the $70,000 boat giveaway. Each year, the Northwest Marine Trade Association has a boat drawing for all ticket holders in the Northwest Salmon Derby Series -- 14 local salmon derbies this year. The winner is selected at the end of the year [September 6th]. In the past, there have usually been about 7,000 total ticket holders competing, which is not bad odds; but because of some changes in the series, this year there will probably only be about HALF that many tickets in total. So that makes REALLY good odds of winning a very valuable prize. There’s also a smaller boat that will be won by an under-16 angler.

As always, we are grateful to all our volunteers and sponsors, and to everybody in the community, who all help make this Derby so successful. Get involved yourself! This is one of the things that makes Gardiner such a great place to live. For more details, visit our website at www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com (this site).

[Current press release]

PRESS RELEASE
2008 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby

GARDINER, December 2007 – The 32nd Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, the longest-running Salmon Derby in Washington, will be held February 16, 17, and 18, 2008. Fishers will compete for cash and other prizes worth over $10,000 -- including $3,000 for 1st, $1,500 for 2nd, and $750 for 3rd. There’s also a “Smallest Legal Salmon” prize of $500.

Due to changes in State fishery rules, which now require Selective Fishery for much of the area, this year only “clipped fin” fish can be submitted. According to Derby spokesman Dan Tatum, “Selective Fishery is the way of the future. You can see this from last year’s Derby, where 77% of the 133 entries had clipped fins, including 1st and 3rd place winners.”

This important local event represents four decades of local support for vital emergency response services. Proceeds go to Jefferson County District #5 Volunteer Fire Department, which depends on Derby funds for such uses as purchasing new equipment and ongoing training.

Fishing times are on Saturday and Sunday from daylight to 3 pm, and on Monday from daylight to 12 noon. The award ceremony begins at 2:00 pm on Monday at the Gardiner Boat Ramp. There are three boat launches within the Derby area: Port Townsend Boat Haven gas dock, Gardiner Boat Ramp, and John Wayne Marina. This year, all three locations have fish weigh-in stations.

Fishing boundaries are the same as last year, described in the Derby brochure. They include parts of Marine Areas 6, 7, and 9, spanning east/west from Whidbey Island to New Dungeness Lighthouse, and north/south from Hein Bank to Tala Point. This large area reduces the risk of bad winds, seas, or weather -- trouble at one place is usually offset by good fishing elsewhere.

The Derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, run by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). All Derby ticket holders will be entered in the end-of-year [September 6th] grand prize drawing for a 23-foot welded-aluminum center console Pacific Boat, powered by a 225 4-stroke Suzuki and a 9.9 high-thrust Suzuki kicker, with a tandem-axle EZ Loader Trailer, and a long list of electronics and other features -- a $70,000 value. There will also be a “Kid’s Division” drawing, for anglers who don’t turn 16 until after the Derby, for a 14-foot Stabi-Craft powered by a 25hp 4-stroke Suzuki, with a trailer and many features -- a $12,000 value.

Ticket sales start the first week in January. The $30 tickets cover 1 to 3 days, and will be available online at www.SwainsInc.com, at many local vendors through close of business Saturday, and at the three drop-off stations during the Derby. Further details and Derby rules can be found at www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com; or call 360-797-7711. And remember, this year it’s “clipped fin to win.”

[Press releases from prior years follow]

PRESS RELEASE
2007 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby a Great Success

GARDINER, 19 February 2007 – This year’s 31st Discovery Bay Salmon Derby was a huge success, with the most fish caught in many years. Area anglers fished Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, finding great weather and plenty of fish. A total of 131 salmon were submitted by 118 anglers, competing for over $12,000 worth of prizes.

The first prize of $3,000 (plus $250 for the biggest fish on Sunday) went to Jack Gourlie of Port Townsend, with a huge fish of 18 pounds 7 ounces. Second prize, $1,500 (plus $250 for the biggest fish on Saturday) went to Dave Gauthan of Sequim, with a fish of 17 pounds 4 ounces. Third prize, $750, was claimed by John Drew of Tacoma, with a fish of 17 pounds 2 ounces. A total of 52 fish prizes were awarded, including the $500 “Smallest Legal Salmon” prize, earned by Basilio Ramirez of Port Townsend with his little 3 pound 5 ounce fish. Congratulations to all!

The award ceremony was held at 2:00 pm on Monday at the Gardiner Boat Ramp, where prizes were awarded and a raffle was held. The top raffle prize was a luxury overnight casino package plus $500 in cash, donated by Seven Cedars Casino in Blyn.

Derby official Dan Tatum was delighted with this year’s event: “We couldn’t be happier. We had good conditions, lots of boats, and lots of fish.”

Mike Thornburgh, at the Fish’n Hole in Port Townsend, agrees. “This was the best Derby in years. It was all so professional. Everything was just as smooth as can be. Communications were outstanding, with VHF on the water, and frequent phone calls and email on land.” Thornburgh was impressed with Derby operations, but even more impressed with the quality of the fishing. “The expanded boundaries meant that we could fish every day. In the old days, if winds made it hard to fish Discovery Bay, then nobody went out that day. So we had derbies with just one day of fishing. But now, if conditions get tough in one place, it’s just a question of moving – heading around Point Wilson or whatever. This is the way to do it.”

Thornburgh also reports a much higher “marked rate” this year – 77% of the salmon caught had clipped ventral fins, indicating that they originated from hatcheries. “The state is committed to a sustainable fishery. It’s good to see our state’s fish management investments starting to pay off.” He points out that the new expanded boundaries are a key factor in sustainability. In the past, Derby anglers had to stay in the small area of Discovery Bay, but now they hunt salmon from Dungeness to Whidbey Island.

The Discovery Bay derby is the oldest in Washington, with four decades of local support for vital emergency response services at Jefferson County’s District #5 Volunteer Fire Department. It is often called the ‘Iron Man Derby’ but this year the weather gods smiled. Claudia Ecklund, another Derby official, was impressed by the large number of boats were out this weekend, many launching from Port Townsend. “We saw a lot more out-of-area participants. Of course we saw more locals, too!”

The Derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, run by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). All Derby ticket holders are being entered in the NMTA’s end-of-year grand prize boat drawings – a 23-foot center console Pacific Boat, and (for under-16 anglers) a 14-foot Stabi-Craft boat. The NMTA had both boats on display at the awards ceremony.

Complete Derby results, plus an expanding list of photos, can be found at www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com (this site)

PRESS RELEASE
2007 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby

GARDINER, February 2007 – Sharpen your hooks and straighten out your tackle box. The 31st Discovery Bay Salmon Derby is right around the corner, on February 17, 18, and 19 – Presidents’ Day Weekend. Fishers will compete for cash and other prizes worth over $10,000 – including $3,000 for 1st, $1,500 for 2nd, and $750 for 3rd. There’s also a “Smallest Legal Fish” prize of $500 for the smallest salmon caught. The prize list is still growing from generous contributions. (Last year, there were so many prizes that ALL 65 anglers who submitted fish won a prize.)

This derby is the oldest in Washington, with four decades of local support for vital emergency response services at Jefferson County’s District #5 Volunteer Fire Department. It is often called the ‘Iron Man Derby’ because of February’s unpredictable weather, but according to Dan Tatum, a Derby official, “After the crazy storms this winter, we’re now hoping for some good fishing weather. With the Derby’s larger area and three launch ramps, we’re expecting a strong turnout of fishermen. Early reports from Area 7 and Area 9 are looking good.”

Fishing times are: Saturday and Sunday from daylight until 3 pm, and Monday from daylight until 12 noon. The award ceremony begins at 2:00 pm on Monday at the Gardiner Boat Ramp. Tatum says: “A good crowd is expected for the ceremony. It’s always lots of fun.” In addition to fishing awards, the ceremony includes a raffle, with many great prizes. The growing raffle prize list is topped by a luxury overnight casino package plus $500 in cash, donated by Seven Cedars Casino in Blyn. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the ceremony (or call 360-797-7711 to ask about advance raffle tickets).

Three boat launches are within the Derby area, and all have fish drop-off stations: Port Townsend Boat Haven gas dock (free parking/launch), Gardiner Boat Ramp (free parking/launch), and John Wayne Marina (three days of parking/launch for the price of a one-day pass). Parking and launch fees are also free at all other Port of Port Townsend boat ramps. There is no Diamond Point station this year.

Fishing boundaries include the waters in Area 6 from New Dungeness Lighthouse north to Hein Bank, east to Rocky Point on Whidbey Island (including Eastern Bank and Smith Island), south into Area 9 to Double Bluff on Whidbey Island, and across to Foul Weather Bluff and to Tala Point. Tatum points out that “This area includes the big water of the Strait and Area 9, such as Mid Channel, Point Wilson, Craven, Lip Lip, Oak Bay, and Mats Mats. It’s a big change from the old days, when we just fished inside Discovery Bay.”

The Derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, run by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). All Derby ticket holders will be entered in the end-of-year grand prize drawing for a 23’ center console Pacific Boat, powered by a Honda 4 Stroke Motor, with a galvanized EZ Loader Trailer. For under-16 fishers, this year there is also a separate “kids boat” drawing, for a 14’ Stabi-Craft boat, Suzuki motor, and EZ Loader Trailer. Dan Tatum reminds young fishers that “If you’re under 16 at the end of the Derby, you could win both boats!” The NMTA will have both boats on display at the awards ceremony.

The $30 Derby tickets cover 1 to 3 days, and are available online at www.SwainsInc.com, at many local vendors through close of business Saturday, and at the three drop-off stations during the Derby. Further details and Derby rules can be found at www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com (this site); or call 360-797-7711.

PRESS RELEASE
2007 Discovery Bay Salmon Derby

GARDINER, December 2006 – The 31st Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, the oldest running Salmon Derby in Washington, will be held February 17, 18, and 19, 2007. Fishers will compete for cash and other prizes worth over $10,000 – including $3,000 for 1st, $1,500 for 2nd, and $750 for 3rd. There’s also a “Smallest Legal Fish” prize of $500, so even beginners have a chance.

This important local event represents four decades of local support for vital emergency response services. Proceeds go directly to Jefferson County District #5 Volunteer Fire Department, which depends on Derby funds for such uses as purchasing new equipment and ongoing training.

Fishing times are on Saturday and Sunday from daylight until 3 pm, and on Monday from daylight until 12 noon. The award ceremony begins at 2:00 pm on Monday at the Gardiner Boat Ramp. There are three boat launches within the Derby area, all with fish drop-off stations: Port Townsend Boat Haven gas dock, Gardiner Boat Ramp, and John Wayne Marina. (There is no Diamond Point station this year.)

Fishing boundaries include the waters in Area 6 from New Dungeness Lighthouse north to Hein Bank, east to Rocky Point on Whidbey Island (including Eastern Bank and Smith Island), south into Area 9 to Double Bluff on Whidbey Island, and across to Foul Weather Bluff and to Tala Point. This area includes the big water of the Strait and Area 9, such as Mid Channel, Point Wilson, Craven, Lip Lip, Oak Bay, and Mats Mats. Last year’s ladder included 66 fish -- a huge improvement over 2005.

The Derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, run by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). All Derby ticket holders will be entered in the end-of-year grand prize drawing for a 23’ center console Pacific Boat, powered by a Honda 4 Stroke Motor, with a galvanized EZ Loader Trailer. For under-16 fishers, this year there is also a separate “kids boat” drawing, for a 14’ Stabi-Craft boat, Suzuki motor, and EZ Loader Trailer. If you’re under 16 at the end of the Derby, you could win both boats!

Ticket sales start the first week in January. The $30 tickets cover 1 to 3 days, and will be available online at www.SwainsInc.com, at many local vendors through close of business Saturday, and at the three drop-off stations during the Derby. Further details and Derby rules can be found at www.DiscoBaySalmonDerby.com (this site); or call 360-797-7711.

2008 Derby results

113 fish on the final ladder! We had 84 fish turned in on Saturday, and another 19 on Sunday (though we turned away about 25 that were too small for a prize). We only had a handful of additional prize winners on Monday – most were too small. The average on the entire ladder, but not counting the ones turned away, is 8.6 pounds. The average prize winner weighed 11.5 pounds.

2008 final standings (Monday 13:00)

[Earlier results follow]

2007 Derby results

Wow. 133 fish submitted by 112 anglers. Now that’s fishing.

2007 summary of standings (Final)

2007 raffle winners

2008 prizes

2008 prizes have a value of over $10,000 in cash and merchandise. In addition, the annual raffle has over $1,200 in cash and merchandise prizes.

For a smoother awards ceremony, we have reduced the number of prizes by combining some (and strongarming our generous sponsors into making larger donations). The result is this great lineup of 40 fishing prizes, with a minimum value of $50 and a combined value of over $10,000. For the same reason, the raffle has been shortened, giving us just fourteen prizes all worth at least $25, with a combined value of over $1,500.

Main fishing prizes:

ENTRY BY DONATION

See the complete prize lists below, including both fishing and raffle prizes.

Many additional prizes, including cash, were still being donated by our generous sponsors until the end of the Derby. Please consider making a donation for next year!

Bonus prizes for 2008 include

$250 Cash for Saturday’s largest fish
$250 Cash for Sunday’s largest fish
$250 Cash for Monday’s largest fish
$700 Cash for first salmon to break Derby record of 25 lbs, 4 oz.
$500 Cash for smallest legal salmon in Derby

Smallest salmon prize!

Gardiner’s own André Mercier has again offered his fantastic “smallest legal salmon” prize: $500 for the smallest salmon on the ladder! The smallest legal salmon in the Derby will win this large cash award – plus the excellent bragging rights that go with it.

As always, competition will be stiff for this big prize for a small fish. Last year, we tried to get stamp collectors to serve as judges, but their magnifying glasses weren’t strong enough for comparing these important but modest fish. This year, we will see if there are any area watchmakers or jewelers who can bring along their loupes and help settle any small disputes.

2008 prize list

The current prize list includes 43 fishing prizes and 14 raffle prizes.

2007 prizes

2007 prizes had a value of over $12,200 in cash and merchandise. In addition, the annual raffle had over $2400 in cash and merchandise prizes.

Main fishing prizes (ENTRY BY DONATION)

See the complete prize lists below, including both fishing and raffle prizes.

Many additional prizes, including cash, were still being donated by our generous sponsors until the end of the Derby. Please consider making a donation for next year!

Bonus prizes for 2007 include

$250 Cash for Saturday’s largest fish
$250 Cash for Sunday’s largest fish
$250 Cash for Monday’s largest fish
$700 Cash for first salmon to break Derby record of 25 lbs, 4 oz.
$500 Cash for smallest legal salmon in Derby

Smallest fish prize!

Gardiner’s own André Mercier has again offered his fantastic “smallest legal fish” prize: $500 for the smallest salmon on the ladder! The smallest legal salmon in the 2006 Derby will win this large cash award – plus the excellent bragging rights that go with it.

Not everyone has the skill and technique needed to win this prize, and you’ll have stiff competition – but if you’re lucky, you might shame the rest of the Discovery Bay anglers, and walk away with big cash for a small fish!

(Last year, we tried without success to find a special set of high-precision low-weight anchovy scales for this special category. But our inventive judges used a jeweler’s loupe to inspect the submitted fish, to be sure the prize didn’t go to somebody’s bait. This year, we will try to enlist some stamp collectors as judges, with plenty of experience dealing with very small objects.)

2007 prize list

The final prize list included 52 fishing prizes and 43 raffle prizes.

2006 prize list

There were 50 different 2006 prizes, plus another 39 raffle prizes:

Click here to see 2006 Derby results.

Sponsors

Discovery Bay Salmon Derby is grateful to our generous sponsors, most of whom contribute year after year. Please patronize them!

Please consider making a contribution to this year’s Derby. Your donation will be gratefully accepted – and will be appreciated by all your friends and neighbors here in Fire District #5. We will be happy to list your name, company, website, or other appropriate information on this website and in next year’s brochure. To make a donation, please click here for contact information.

See the list of 2007 prizes for recent sponsors. A complete list will be posted after the completion of the Derby. Last year’s Derby sponsors are listed below, alpabetically. Individual (non-business) sponsors are listed under their last names. We thank you all for your generosity and civic spirit.

2007 DERBY SPONSORS (for website links, click here)

2006 DERBY SPONSORS (for website links, click here)