IT’S ABOUT TIME Elvis was invited to a North Olympic Peninsula salmon derby.
The second annual Sekiu King Coho Derby hosted by Donalynn Olson of Olson’s Resort (360-963-2311) is Saturday and Sunday.
The derby comes as Olson’s winds down its 80th year of operation, and will serve partly as a tribute to owners Arlen and Donalynn Olson.
And Saturday night, Elvis, under the name Clayton Wagy, will be in the house to perform “A Tribute to the King” in honor of Arlen and Donalynn Olson.
Derby tickets are $30. Every boat angler over the age of 15 must have a derby ticket.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the largest wild or hatchery king, wild or hatchery coho and chum caught by a ticket holder.
The derby operates with a progressive pot, so the cash prize amount will be determined by ticket sales.
Also, trophies will be awarded for the first-, second- and third-place winners in each category.
The entry fee offers more than a shot at prize money.
First, Olson’s is offering a derby special of a round-trip launch and three night’s moorage for boats 21 feet and under for $40. Bigger boats will cost just $1 more per foot, per night.
There also will be a barbecue lunch, featuring derby dogs, for ticket holders.
And, if you aren’t lucky enough to win the salmon derby, there will be drawings for various other prizes.
Anglers 14 years and younger can participate in a free Lil’ Anglers derby.
All proceeds form the derby will go towards Olson’s Resort’s 2014 Wounded Warrior fishing fund.
For more information or tickets, phone Olson’s Resort at 360-963-2311 or email olsoninfo@gmail.com, or Greg Ekberg at 206-735-8518 and gofishsekiu@gmail.com.
Sekiu fishing
In April, George Graham of Lakewood sent in a photo of a lingcod he caught near Neah Bay that was so big it blocked out much of his 6-foot-7 frame.
It was probably the best fishing photo sent in during my time on the outdoors beat.
Last weekend, Graham, along with friends Craig Roberts and Pat Mulderig, visited Clallam Bay and had some nice success catching salmon.
“The fishing was pretty much off the hook in between weather squalls,” Graham said in an email.
He predicted good things for this weekend’s Sekiu King Coho Derby.
“I firmly believe that there will be some very nice fishing that will produce some of Washington’s finest table fare,” Graham said.
Silvers are still the main catch throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with a few chinook being caught here and there.
Last Chance Derby results
The weather threatened the Last Chance Derby in LaPush, and though it failed to force its cancelation, it did cut the derby short.
Tim Gauthun’s 30.8-pound chinook was the derby’s biggest fish.
Cliff Dopps landed a 10.6-pound coho for top honors in that category, and Drew Persoon’s 29.4-pound lingcod was the biggest bottomfish.
Despite an iffy forecast last week, Saturday’s weather was just good enough for the 91 entered anglers to get on the water.
Sunday’s high winds, however, prompted the Coast Guard to restrict boats going out, and the contest was stopped.
Prizes of $500 each for largest chinook and largest coho were awarded to Gauthun and Dopps.
Gerald Hanson earned $250 for his second-prize, 30.4-pound chinook.
John Rand’s 7.5-pound coho was good the $250 runner-up prize.
In third place, earning $100 each, were Will Quinn with a 27.8-pound chinook and Jan DeFelice with a 7.2-pound coho.
The ticket-holder drawing was held for items donated to the derby by local merchants.
The grand prize, a two-night stay at the Quileute Oceanside Resort in LaPush, was awarded to former Forks resident Richard Hansen.
The Last Chance Salmon Derby is an annual event co-sponsored by the city of Forks, the Quileute tribe and the Forks Chamber of Commerce.
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Sports Editor Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-417-3525 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.