“If you don’t have a hook in the water, you don’t have a chance.”
That’s something you hear a lot of when you ask fishermen for advice about how to catch the biggest king salmon — and coho — during the Territorial Sportsmen’s 70th annual Golden North Salmon Derby.
It was the advice Arnold Ibias gave as he got ready to head out fishing with a friend, as well as dogs Olympia and Olive. He’s been fishing the derby for decades, and his daughter once placed third.
In Auke Bay, the derby got off to a 19.5-pound start with a king salmon caught by fisherman Karissa Jackson.
Out on the water, where the Capital City Weekly and Juneau Empire traveled with Melino’s Marine Services, fishermen had hooks in the water, all right. Some were shallower, some deeper; some lured with hoochies and some baited with herring. Some fishermen were trying all of the above, going for that winning mix.
While it took a while for some boats to warm up, some got off to a blazing start.
“There are lots of cohos … in my boat, anyway,” said one of those fishermen, who wanted to remain anonymous. His strategy? “Catch big fish.”
Billy Ashby and a friend were catching lots as well — eight coho early in the day, the biggest about 15 pounds. They also double hooked some halibut first thing.
“We’re going to be the derby winners,” Ashby said.
Danny Tourtellot caught a 23-pound king … on Thursday, the day before the derby. It was going on the barbecue Friday night, he said. “Keep your bait in the water,” he said.
In one boat were James, Ozzie and Warren, all veterans from Hoonah. They’ve been fishing in the derby since the ‘70s.
Doug Larsen, Wendy Larsen, Fred Provenza and Sue Provenza were in one of a dozen boats marked “Derby Official.” Officials make sure people wait behind the line until the start, boat the speed limit and are there for any questions. They were fishing at 35- and 65-foot depths when the Capital City Weekly and Juneau Empire chatted with them.
In the lead as of early Friday, however, was Aaron Katzeek, fishing with brother Shawn Katzeek and Cer Scott. Aaron Katzeek caught a 23-pound king as his brother drove the boat. They turned the fish in at Auke Bay and went back out for more.
Right around the same area were Dylan Kubley and Abbey Wilwert, who wrestled one of several coho in as the Capital City Weekly and Juneau Empire watched. (Check out the video on the Capital City Weekly and Juneau Empire Facebook pages.)
Tanya Nizich, owner of the tender the Isabelle, was with crew Daniel Keeler, up from Southern Oregon, Alaska Department of Fish and Game technician Katie Ashbaugh waiting for scholarship fish, and “the main guy on the boat” Dave the dog. By Friday in the early afternoon, they had an eight-pound coho, a scholarship fish (fish donated to the Territorial Sportsmen Scholarship Fund) brought in by a skiff-driving 13-year-old.
At each weigh station — Douglas Harbor, Statter Harbor and Amalga Harbor — ADF&G technicians waited to check fish for tags indicating they were from a hatchery, and to get samples for genetic testing.
“I’ve always fished it,” Nizich said. “Last year was my first time not fishing (working on the tender) and getting to visit with everybody.”
Over at Amalga Harbor, the Hoochie Mamas — the all-female weigh-in crew at Amalga Harbor — have four years of experience visiting with fishermen. They wore “Juneau Stop Heroin Start Talking” Hoochie Mama sweatshirts donated by Michele Stuart Morgan and Kerri Willoughby of Edward Jones.
The Hoochie mama group is Dottie Whitehead, Cindy Stevenson, Tawna Curry, Tracy Balovich, Melissa Ordner and Misty Smith. “Dock Mama” Misty Smith said it even beats fishing. “We don’t want to miss anything,” she said. “Seeing everybody is our favorite part.”
Out on the water, fishermen may not have seen each other, but they were still checking in.
“We’ve been consistent and lucky,” one guy said over the radio.
“I’ll take luck any day,” another fisherman replied.
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Read more derby coverage:
Tell the Empire your fish story, win a prize
Derby dynasties shoot for third crown
Dick Garrison’s passing marks end of era for derby
Meet the World’s Greatest Fisherman
Derby officials Fred Provenza, Sue Provenza, Wendy Larsen and Doug Larsen fish on the backside of Douglas on Friday in the Territorial Sportsmen Golden North Salmon Derby.
Fishermen troll near Point Retreat on Friday during the Territorial Sportsmen Golden North Salmon Derby.
