KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The third annual Kodiak King Salmon Sportfishing Tournament is underway. This year’s derby-style tournament features over 30,000 dollars in cash prizes spread across three weight divisions, nine major prizes and 20 mystery weight cash prizes. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Kodiak king salmon enhancement project.
Tournament administrator Judi Kidder said this year’s derby will differ significantly from those of previous years, with more prize money up for grabs and a shift in focus.
— (Derby 1 37 sec. "We’ve actually come up with … father of the project.")
Kidder said that raising money for the tournament has taken many hours of phone calls and e-mails. She said the tournament’s many sponsors make the event possible. This year’s sponsors include ISA Seafoods, Bio-Oregon and Mack’s Sport Shop for the three major prize categories and many others for the tournament’s mystery fish category. Kidder noted that the tournament benefits the local economy in addition to the enhancement project by bringing in contestants from outside of Kodiak.
— (Derby 2 28 sec. "This tournament wouldn’t … spin-off from the tournament.")
According to Kidder, the total prize pool this year is 37,500 dollars split across the three weight divisions. She said this allows anglers to take home prize money even if they don’t necessarily land the biggest king.
— (Derby 3 40 sec. "You don’t have to catch … that weight range either.")
The tournament’s mystery fish competition, in which contestants can win money for catching fish of a specific weight, includes 19 prizes. There will be 12 prizes worth 100 dollars each, six 500-dollar prizes and one 1,000-dollar prize. Kidder said she is the only one who knows what the winning mystery weights are, and that those weights will only be revealed as they are won.
— (Derby 4 34 sec. "They have been pre-selected … weight has been verified.")
Kidder said 4,000 dollars have already been raised for the salmon enhancement project through early ticket sales. The 50-dollar tickets are available at Mack’s Sport Shop, Cy’s Sporting Goods, the Kodiak Unlimited Charters kiosk or directly from Kidder. She said contestants must be in possession of a ticket before going fishing. A valid fishing license and king stamp are also required to enter. The tournament runs through July 5th. For more information visit Kodiak fishing derby dot org.
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