Chuck Gard grabbed the lead in his hometown derby with his 19.42-pound fish he landed on Thursday. A 18.66-pound silver won the Seward derby, which ended Sunday.
Last year, Derek Werder won the Valdez derby with a 22.14-pounder, the biggest in Valdez history. An 18.57-pounder captured the Seward derby.
"I thought I would be disqualified because I did have a little help," Gard joked afterward to the Valdez Chamber of Commerce.
Gard fished with Father Frank Reitter, a priest from South Dakota who is visiting Alaska and conducting services around the state. Reitter netted the big fish.
"I didn't have much luck fishing before Father Frank was aboard," Gard said. "And I haven't had much luck since Thursday."
Women's Silver Salmon Derby Winner Christy Roden of Delta fell to second place on the leader board with her 18.56 pound silver and Kaitlin Smith of Valdez is third with her 18.24-pound fish.
Valdez Fish Derbies
Halibut Derby
1) Stephen Caverly, Eagle River, 312.9 pounds; 2) Marvin Ray Williams, Fairbanks, 275.6 pounds; 3) Rick Ballow, Valdez, 256.7 pounds.
Silver Salmon Derby
1) Chuck Gard, Valdez, 19.42 pounds; 2) Christy Roden, Delta, 18.56 pounds; 3) Kaitlin Smith, Valdez, 18.24 pounds.
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