The 2015 Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby expects to draw anglers from all over the region for the annual event, taking place Friday through Sunday, Feb. 20-22.

The derby includes 500 square miles of fishing, five weigh stations (Freshwater Bay, Ediz Hook in Port Angeles, John Wayne Marina in Sequim, Gardiner and Port Townsend Boat Haven). It boasts a $10,000 first prize, with new prizes coming in daily. The total purse is more than $20,000, including four $500 mystery fish prizes for fish of at least 6 pounds. Most prizes are donated by area businesses and residents; the largest single donation is the $1,000 third prize, donated by 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn.

For the first time, all derby tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets are to be sold at launch ramps this year, and all ticket sales end on Wednesday, Feb. 18. For details, see the derby website at

gardineraalmonderby.org. Tickets cost $40 for one day or all three days ($42.50 online). Tickets can be purchased at many area merchants, or online for pickup at your launch ramp. A number of derby tickets are again available for Wounded Warriors (details online).

Dan Tatum, president of the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, expects good fishing this year. “As usual, fishing is starting to pick up in Areas 6 and 9, and it should be at its peak during the derby. We’re expecting warm weather this year, due to the mild winter and also because the derby will be a week later than usual.” Tatum points out that all anglers should consult WDFW Sports Fishing Rules, available at

wdfw.wa.gov (and also via a link from the derby website). Emergency closures and boundary rules are in effect for Marine Area 7 this year, but Areas 6 and 9 are not affected.

Leading up to the derby, from Feb. 10 to 18, the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) is displaying this year’s grand prize boat, a 21-foot Hewes Craft, at Westside Marine, located along State Route 20 just outside Port Townsend. Every derby ticket holder is automatically entered into the NMTA prize boat drawing, held later in the year for all derbies in the series.

In addition, on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21 derby sponsor Salt Patrol/Lowrance plan to have both of its boats at Port Townsend’s SEA Marine docks at Point Hudson for an hour after close of fishing each day to offer boat tours, answer questions on Lowrance products, perform free updates on Lowrance units and tune units. Again this year the hosts of KIRO-AM 710 ESPN’s “Outdoor Line” are fishing in the derby and broadcasting live from the Harborside Inn in Port Townsend.

Fees at all five launch ramps have again been waived this year for derby participants, thanks to generous support from Port of Port Townsend and Port of Port Angeles. A free barbecue is to be held at noon on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Gardiner boat ramp, leading up to the 3 p.m. awards ceremony, which also includes a cash prize raffle.

This event, formerly called the Discovery Bay Salmon Derby, is hosted each year by the Gardiner Salmon Derby Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that supports area emergency and other services. This winter blackmouth classic is part of the Northwest Marine Trade Association’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series.

This derby uses selective fishery – clipped-fin hatchery fish only – and it benefits emergency and other vital services for Gardiner, Diamond Point, Blyn and nearby communities. For more information, including derby rules, plus information about the NMTA prize boat drawing, visit gardinersalmonderby.org.