2012 Vashon Salmon Derby Deemed Wild

Another exciting Salmon Derby and another thrilling race to the bottom of Puget Sound for the elusive prize salmon has come and gone.

"The Vashon Island Picnic & Salmon Derby 2012 was chosen by the Northwest Salmon Derby Series this year to be on of the 14 derbies it sponsors and as a result it was the best one ever!" enthused Derby coordinator, Gene Kuhns.

"Last year we were ecstatic about prying eleven fishermen away from the region’s larger and better known derbies. But the final tally for this year was 67 and some real hatchery-raised beauties were landed and weighed. 12 fish were registered with the largest being 12 lb 13 oz going to Dan Rice from Vashon."

"Any prize money for Mr. Rice?" I asked.

"There certainly was. He received a check for $480. So for Dan the results were pretty wild – I mean, hatchery-raised. And for the Interfaith Council for the Prevention of Homelessness who will receive a check for $583, it has been a huge success!"

"What about the other winners, Gene?"

"Well, 2nd place went to Terry Lane from Spanaway with an 11 lb 12 oz salmon, and 3rd place went to William Blogett from Seattle. There was also a Child Winner, Mirel Wojciechowski, who landed a 10lb 3 oz salmon and won himself a nice fishing pole. There were many additional sponsor-provided prizes so everyone who showed up for weigh-in went home with a lure, fishing pole or reel."

"And what about the Grand Prize? Did that get awarded?"

"No, not until the Everett Coho Derby on September 23. That’s when Everyone who entered the Vashon Derby will have a chance at winning the big-time $55K boat and trailer rig."

Gene promises the 2013 Derby & Picnic will be even better: with larger prizes, more sponsors and a lot more fish caught. Next year’s salmon run will feature the prized Pink Salmon, so each far-sighted participant will want to mark the 3rd Saturday in August on the 2013 Derby calendar.

Gene heaped praise and thanks on this year’s volunteers Sandra Oellien, Gene’s own family (Jan, Rissa & Geno), and Susan White for her website development expertise. Also saluted were Susan McCabe, Pam Wise and Dan Grogan of Vashon Parks for their enthusiastic donation of the Kayak Center’s paddle boards for the day.

"And thanks also to Vashon’s Unofficial Mayor, Hillary Emmer, for being on hand for the awards ceremony. So, all and all, it couldn’t have been better."

"I hesitate to mention it, Gene, but did you-know-who show up?"

"Are you by chance referring to Mr. Chumley O. Wobbler?"

"Mr.?"

"I know, I know. He and I have had our disagreements, but that’s all behind us now. I’m proud to say that Chum caught the largest "Painted Bathtub Sea Bass" (Stereolipsis Tubbolaii) on record! It turns out Mr. Wobber’s is the last of a storied family of Sea Bass whisperers."

This took a moment to absorb.

"You mean you’re genuinely proud of Chum’s presence this year?"

"Absolutely! There had to be a hundred people if there were ten along the bulkhead at Dockton Park and each one stood mute with awe as Chum played his fish in the shallows like a Schubert lied with orchestral arrangement."

"So, he wasn’t the headache he was last year?"

"Au contraire," Gene responded with a wide grin. "I witnessed a level of fishing mastery I didn’t think possible. Watching Mr. Wobbler took my understanding of the art of fishing to an entirely new level."

"Higher, you mean?"

"Did I say that?"

And with that, Gene was hoisted by his loving family on to their collective shoulders and carried away in the golden light of the westering sun.

See you all at Dockton Park next year for Vashon Island Picnic & Salmon Derby 2013!

More infor at:
www.northwestsalmonderbyseries.com