Wasilla boy among top anglers in Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby

VALDEZ — A young Wasilla angler stood among the leaders during the eighth annual Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby.

Wasilla Caleb Hughes finished second in the ages 14-16 category with a fish that measured in at 5.10 pounds. Logan Heckathorn won the age division with a 5.28-pound pink salmon. Seven-year old Jace Branshaw of Valdez who won his age division (5-7) and took top honors for largest fish in the derby with a 6.22 pound pink salmon.

The Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby brought hundreds of children to Valdez Saturday in hopes of winning a longboard, skateboard or fishing pole. The weigh-in station gave away 300 free T-shirts to kids age 5 to 16 that got a line wet.

In the 8 to 10 year old division, Calvin Todd of Fairbanks took top honors as well as the first-place prize of a longboard and a five-year subscription to Fish Alaska Magazine with a 5.40 pound pink salmon. Aaron Williams of Fairbanks was back again to take 1st place, two years in a row, in the 11 to 13 year old age division with a 5.46 pound pink.

First-place winners in each age division received a longboard and five-year subscription to Fish Alaska Magazine. The second-place winners received a skateboard and three-year subscription to Fish Alaska Magazine and the third-place finishers took home a fishing pole from Prospector and a one-year magazine subscription.

Another Valley angler continues to lead Valdez Halibut Derby. Willow’s Fred Hyder still leads the way with the 253.8 pound halibut he caught July 10 aboard the Jaime Lynn. Milton Fujino of Hawaii is currently in second place overall with a 216.8 pound halibut he caught July 12 aboard the Jaime Lynn and Candice Janke caught her first halibut ever and got on the board in third place overall with a 215.8 pound halibut.

Victona Herman of Montgomery, Texas, took an early lead in the Valdez Silver Salmon Derby, which started Saturday,with a 12.88 pound silver she picked up Sunday aboard the Sound Affair.