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Mal Linthwaite, co-chairing the derby this year, is a comparative newcomer, coming to it in 1966. He expects about 2,500 people on the water this year. It's just the prizes that make it special, he said. There are prizes for the 100 largest king and silver salmon caught. It isn't even the special prizes, such as the $100 for the largest coho every day at each weigh station, a prize from the Territorial Sportsmen.

It's a great time for a great cause, he said, pointing to the scholarship program.

The derby encourages people to donate their fish for the scholarship fund. To make it even more attractive, Party Time on Glacier Highway is giving away up to 4,000 two-for-one Lazer Tag coupons to people turning in scholarship fish, Linthwaite said.

"That's a big deal," he said of such local support for the scholarship program.

"I think (the scholarships) drive a lot of the volunteers," said co-chair Ron Somerville. "It takes about 200 volunteers to put the derby on."

In the derby's history, Territorial Sportsmen have awarded more than 200 students about $1.2 million in scholarship money, he said.

Linthwaite added that a lot of scholarship recipients are volunteering this year.

Linthwaite wouldn't say how the fish are tagged, but people will know if they caught one.

The event is scheduled for the first weekend of August in an attempt to get the best weather. The chairmen said better weather draws more entrants.

Michael Mitchell, a forecaster for the National Weather Service in Juneau, said this weekend doesn't look to be as nice as the last weekend of July. Rain is expected to move in Friday and Saturday, with showers possible Sunday. Wind on the water could measure 15 knots. "It's been changing on a daily basis."

Garrison said he'll be one of the many out there regardless. "I never miss it," he said.

Like most fishermen, he has stories. He knows the thrill of reeling in a king bigger than any previously caught in the derby. He caught a 52-pounder in 1957. As luck would have it, Henry Tacholsky caught the all-time derby record 59-pound, 3-ounce king an hour later, about a mile away. Nearly half a century later, they remain the biggest fish caught.

Last year's winner, Debbie White, caught a 32.9-pound king.

Linthwaite said he caught a 36-pound king two weeks ago. "I was happy, I wish it was three weeks later."

Somerville said there seems to be a good run this year.

There is no question the derby means something to Juneau, he said. "The community's been supporting it for 60 years."

• Tony Carroll can be reached at tony.carroll@juneauempire.com.