40.0°

Derby officials are hoping Juneau's nice weather will stay for this year's Spring King Salmon Derby, which starts today and closes at 9 p.m. on May 31.

According to derby coordinator Leslie Isturis, who has worked with the derby for more than a decade, the spring derby averages about 800 participants, give or take a couple hundred, but it has gone down in the past couple years.

"I'm not sure why that is," Isturis said of the decreasing number of participants. "I know last year it had absolutely everything to do with the weather and price of gas. But this year I'm hopeful."

A fundraiser for the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska's Alumni Scholarship Assistance Program, the 13th annual derby will award more than $5,000 in cash prizes and more than $18,000 prize donations.

Prizes include everything from Panhandle Powerboats rentals and TEMSCO and Wings of Alaska tours, to artwork.

"And then you always get the goodies like Blockbuster and tools that the guys like," Isturis said.

Isturis also mentioned there will be $100 prizes for one random ticket and for a child 16 or younger with the heaviest fish.

As usual, prizes are awarded solely on the basis of the weight of the entered fish, and only gutted, gilled, fresh, unfrozen king salmon may be entered.

All participants must possess a 2009 Alaska sport fishing license and required stamps, and they must adhere to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game sports fishing rules.

Fish must be entered during the specified times at authorized weigh-in stations: Jerry's Meats & Seafoods (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily), DeHart's Auke Bay store (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily) or Alaska Seafood Cannery (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday).

Waters open to derby participants are north to Point St. Mary at Berner's Bay, west to Danger Point, south to Point Couverden, southeast to Lizard's Head just past Funter Bay and southeast from Twin Point to Point Styleman.

Tickets are $35 and are available at Western Auto Marine, DeHart's, Harri Plumbing or Rayco Sales.

Those wishing to donate fish may do so. The Juneau Raptor Center is seeking fish heads and may be contacted at 586-8393 for more information. The Alumni Scholarship Assistance Program also accepts fish to go to elders and handicapped individuals.

Daily updates on the derby and final standings will be posted online at www.springkingderby.org and announced by Kelly Perez on the Morning Show at about 7:35 a.m. every Monday and Friday in May.

"People should come and check the Web page," Isturis urged. "And make sure to get your picture taken."

For more information, contact Spring King Derby officials at 463-7133 or visit www.springkingderby.org.