JUNEAU - A 22-year-old former Juneau resident landed a $1,000 coho salmon Saturday in the Golden North Salmon Derby.

Shawn Bethers was pulling in the last line after a day of fishing with his family when he saw the salmon. Bethers brought it closer to the boat, then the fish escaped his mom's net.

"I was cursing and screaming," Bethers said.

But she grabbed it on the second try, and they brought the fish onto the boat and immediately called a derby official, he said. The fish was caught near Aaron Island.

Bethers said the winnings will go to a college fund.

"I'm going to have a hell of a good weekend and put the rest in savings," he said.

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