Fishers enjoy salmon derby

There were 98 entries in the Fourth Annual Hook the Hawg Salmon Derby sponsored by the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce this weekend. The weather was warm and sunny and the area in and around the Elochoman Slough Marina was packed.

Paige Lake, the chamber director, and her husband Steven spent much of Friday and Saturday at the marina, beginning their days at 4 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m.

"The marina is a big income producer," Paige Lake said happily, "look at how many people are here!"

Adults paid $20 to participate in the event. Youth and kids under 10 paid $10 and $5 respectively.

"People from Seattle to Portland and other places are here," Steven said. "So many people have said that they enjoy coming to Cathlamet. It's really gratifying to hear."

People like Bob and Gerry Young from Rochester.

"We're the Young brothers," Bob laughed. "The young, good-looking brothers."

The two had been fishing near Puget Island when they caught their fish. According to Bob, there were 20 other boats nearby.

"The wind got us," Bob said. "We couldn't do a very good job."

They must have done okay. Gerry's fish was 18 pounds and it won him a prize in the derby.

Rob Stockhouse of Puget Island had a great fish story. He was certain that he'd had the biggest catch on Friday. If only he could have hauled it in when the sea lion swallowed it. That "fish" would have been huge, if he could count the sea lion.

"If I hadn't lost to a sea lion, Stockhouse said, "It would have been a winner."

John Grosch, a fish checker for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, interviewed fishermen and examined 37 fish on Saturday.

I have a lot of fun talking to the fishermen," Grosch said. "I get to find out where the good spots are."

He measured the fish and checked the adipose fin to see if it had been clipped. Then he looked for tags.

First place in the derby went to Chuck Beyer of Cathlamet. He won $300 for his 23.5 pound fish. Mike Butcher won $200 for his second place 20 pound fish and Gerry Young took home a fishing rod hand crafted by Doug Martin for his third place 18 pound fish.

The money raised in the event will go toward scholarships for students in Wahkiakum County.