John Fernen wins king salmon derby at 42.5 pounds

A total of just 15 salmon were caught and entered the past two weekends for Wrangell’s 68th King Salmon Derby.

The top three adult entries won cash prizes, as did the top three kids ages 12 and under.

In the adult category, John Fernen caught the biggest king at Point Ward on June 25, weighing in at 42.5 pounds. Second place went to Mark Soeteber with his 30-pound king, caught at Burg Bay on June 17. Neal Soeteber landed in third place with a 27-pound king caught at Kindergarten Bay on June 25. The prizes were $800, $400 and $200, respectively.

Only three kids entered catches in this year’s derby. Lily Stearns came in first with her catch of 22.5 pounds at Turn Island on June 25. Mariah Mork won second place with a 15.8-pound king at Nemo on June 17. And Carsy Cristian won third place with a salmon weighing 11.4 pounds caught at Bend on June 25. The prizes were $100, $75 and $25, respectively.

The derby ran June 16-18 and 23-25 and was sponsored by the chamber of commerce.

Top 10 adult winners:

- John Fernen, 42.5 pounds, Point Ward, June 25.

- Mark Soeteber, 30, Burg Bay, June 17.

- Neal Soeteber, 27, Kindergarten, June 25.

- Doug Schwartz, 25.5, Found Bay, June 18.

- Jacob Beattie, 21.7, Fools Inlet, June 25.

- Lu Knapp, 20, Point Ward, June 25.

- Matt Ofsthus, 19.33, Anan, June 18.

- Matt Nore, 17.92, Nemo, June 18.

- Darla Girand, 16.4, Mover Island, June 25.

- Jenny Mork, 13.82, Nemo, June 18.

Top three kids age 12 and under:

Lily Stearns, 22.5 pounds, Turn Island, June 25.

Mariah Mork, 15.8, Nemo, June 17.

Carsyn Cristian, 11.4, Bend, June 25.

 

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