King salmon derby back for another run

Memorial Day weekend seems to be a good time to not only honor veterans for their devotion to duty, but also a time for anglers to bring out the rod and reels from the garage.

But will the fish be there?

Depending on who you ask, including a writer on this page, the outlook isn’t that good. The Deshka, for instance, already has limited fishing opportunities if you like to eat what you catch. The state issued an emergency order outlawing bait. Plus, anglers can only take home kings caught on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The rest of the week is catch and release. The order affects all waters of the Deshka open to king fishing, including the first 17 miles of the river and all waters within a 1/2-mile radius of the mouth. Fishing hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

All that because Fish and Game predicts lower than usual king runs, so it doesn’t look good for fishers.

Unless you are Don Steinberger. Last week he caught a 40-inch, 60-pound king. That puts him atop the leader board in King Derby sponsored this year by the Public Safety Employees Association.

Last year the derby was a Wasilla chamber event, but that organization dropped it because revenues didn’t come in as expected. They have plans to have a silver salmon derby in August. That, of course, will likely depend on its financial situation. Fish and Game has predicted better runs for the silvers this year, so maybe the chamber can make a little money.

It’s good the employees association stepped in and took up the king derby’s cause.

The event started Friday and is scheduled to run through July 6. The union even has a snappy website — www.pseakingderby.com — with the leader board, and weather and fishing reports. It also lists the places where tickets can be purchased and official weigh-in sites.

Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz also plans to have regular fishing updates as the fish swim home to spawn.

Even if the kings are fewer and the fishing limited, it’s still a good event to sponsor for the community and for visitors who come here with grand visions of hooking a lunker followed by the obligatory “look at my fish” photograph to take home.

Tickets run from $5 for youngsters for one day to $40 for families through the end of the season. That’s not bad for a chance to win part of the $15,000 in cash and prizes. And it sure beats a day at work.

If you go out hunting for kings, be sure to apply plenty of sun screen, always wear your life jacket and pack out everything you pack in. And keep a steady eye on any campfires. Without rain, the Valley has turned into a tinder box.