Salmon derby set for the Port of Brookings Harbor

Dean ‘Hoot’ James, right, and his mother Ladena of Cave Junction, Ore., display a Chinook salmon during the 2007 Slam’n Salmon Ocean Derby. The 2009 edition of the derby begins on Friday. Wescom News Service

Meanwhile, the 10-day commercial salmon season continues out of Crescent City Harbor through Monday.

The sixth installment of the Brookings event — which was canceled last year due to no ocean salmon season — runs from Friday to Sunday, and event organizer and Port Commissioner Jim Relaford said interest in this year’s derby is excellent.

“We’re already 100 entries above last year at this time,” he said. “Typically we have about 400 entries by now, but we already have 496 or so.”

That includes anglers from as far away as New York state and Florida.

“We’re planning on 900 fishermen this year.”

Relaford is very optimistic about conditions as well.

Good news for anglers who want calm water. Relaford said the ocean should be flat.“And it should be good fishing,” he said.

If conditions do change Relaford said anglers can get the latest forecasts from the headquarters tent at the Port. The U.S. Coast Guard will be providing the latest weather information to derby officials each day at 5 a.m.

The USCG will also be turning around boats without stern lights that attempt to leave port before daybreak, so Relaford advised anglers to make sure they have all the proper safety equipment.

If the 2009 derby is anything like prior years, then competition for prizes will be fierce.

In 2007, Grand Prize Winner Cindy Carman of Medford took home the big purse with her 39.1-pound Chinook. Second place was a mere 4.5 pounds behind. In 2006, the difference was less than 3 pounds.

And this year, the prize money is substantial. A total of $15,000 will be handed out, including $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second and $1,000 for third.

Local businesses – particularly RV parks – are sensing the enthusiasm for this year’s event as well.

Derby activities commence today  at noon, when the derby headquarters open for badge pickup, registration and the clothing sale. The beer garden opens at 3 p.m. The derby kickoff party and announcements begin at 4 p.m.

Friday Slam’n gets under way with the headquarters opening at 5 a.m. The weigh station opens at 8 a.m. and will remain open until 4 p.m. Organizers remind anglers that they must be in line with fish by 4 p.m. if they wish to weigh in.

The derby concludes Sunday afternoon with the annual salmon barbecue and award ceremony.

This year organizers are planning for 1,500 dinners and have purchased 600 pounds of fresh salmon fillets. Dinners are limited, so organizers suggest tickets be purchased early. The price is $10 in advance or $12.50 at the event.

Registration for the derby is $50 per person and each entry fee includes the salmon barbecue dinner.

Interested fishermen can register at www.slamnsalmon.com or at the derby headquarters located on the boardwalk in the Port of Brookings Harbor up until the morning of the final day of fishing.