2019 Slam’n Salm’n Derby kicks off Friday with Kings in the Creek

The downtown Anchorage Ship Creek Slam’n Salm’n Derby kicks off Friday at 6 a.m. and it’s shaping up to be the best Derby in many years.

A big surge of big king salmon has been filling the creek for the past 10 days, with a 43-pounder the largest weighed in but bigger fish reported hooked and lost.  The Bait Shack has been weighing in 35-40 fish a day this week and as the water level drops and clarity improves, conditions should be prime for lots of big fish.

The winning king in recent years has weighed in the mid-30s, but last year’s Derby was a disappointment with high muddy water blowing out the creek most of the week and only about 100 fish weighed in.  The norm is usually 400 or so kings in the 9 days of the event, which ends June 23 at 2 p.m.

The Derby is June 14-23 on Ship Creek. For 2019 there will be three divisions—Men, Women and Military–plus a Youth Division. There will be first, second and third place winners in each category, with prizes including kayaks, fishing trips, gear and gift cards. Entry fee is $20. Fish must be weighed in at the Derby station at Kings Landing.

The Grand Prize for largest fish of the Derby, will be a Gold Nugget from The Alaska Mint worth almost $4,000, plus a fishing trip package from Miller’s Landing in Seward worth $1000.  Top winners in each category get a kayak, premium fishing tackle, trophy and $200 gift card to a local sporting goods store.  Second and third places winners get comparable prizes plus fishing trips.

This year The Bait Shack is running the Derby, with a portion of proceeds going to support the Downtown Anchorage Hope Center, Alaska Sport Fishing Association and the Alaska Shriners.

There are numerous sponsors from throughout Alaska and the fishing industry, proud to support this great and unique Alaska event! Details at anchoragesalmonderby.com or slamnsalmonderby.com

For more information, email info@slamnsalmnderby.com.

Ship Creek Kids Fishing Day

This will be the third year for what has become one of the biggest family fishing days in Southcentral Alaska–for 2019 on June 15, 1-6 p.m., above the C Street Bridge on Ship Creek.

This is the chance for hundreds of families to spend a day together, get lots of free prizes for the kids and free lunch for the whole family. There are 300 goodie bags stuffed with gear and prizes for the first 300 kids who check in for this event.  Check-in is at Kings Landing at Ship Creek.