Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

The Haines Sportsman’s Association has narrowed down details for a new coho salmon derby this fall.

The group typically hosts a king salmon derby but was forced to cancel it the past three years due to fishing restrictions protecting a diminished Chilkat king salmon run.

During its 59th annual association meeting, president Charlie DeWitt outlined plans for the coho derby. It will run Sept. 10 - Oct. 31.

“We would like to see coho fishing start up again in Haines,” DeWitt said. “There’s a lot of Canadians that do it, but not very many Alaskans from Haines that do it.”

Anglers catch around 2,000 coho per year, compared to the escapement range of 50,000 to 70,000 on the Chilkat River, according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Bag limits on the Chilkat River are three coho per day; two per day on the Chilkoot River.

Entry to the derby costs $25 and prizes will be awarded to anglers landing the three biggest fish.

Fish must be gutted and gilled before they’re weighed. Sporting goods store owners Doug Olerud and Mike Ward will set up weigh stations.

George Campbell said his business, Storage and Warehouse, will donate $100 for the largest coho caught on a fly rod and businesses he owns will give $100 for the largest coho caught by an angler under age 18.

DeWitt said the group hopes to generate $5,000 from the derby and give out $2,500 in prizes.

The Haines Sportsman’s Association uses proceeds to fund scholarships. Most recently, it provided $300 to the Community Youth Development program.

Association members elected Dave Lorentz and reelected Rocky Hickman to serve as officers for the next year.