Daniel Dixon of Anchorage became the new leader Thursday in the 58th annual Seward Silver Salmon Derby.
He caught a 17.34-pound fish off Caines Head to send Wasilla's Don Childs into second place with the 17.13-pounder he caught Monday. The winner of the Derby, which ends Sunday, will receive a $10,000 prize, with second place getting $5,000.
Anglers enjoyed sunny weather Thursday and continue to reel in large fish. Last year's winner was a 16.14-pounder, but everyone in the top 10 this year has caught a fish that weighs more than 15 pounds.
More than 12,000 pounds of fish have been weighed since festivities began Saturday. An average of 200 to 300 fish are weighed in each day.
Seward Silver Salmon Derby
Top 10
1) Daniel Dixon, Anchorage, 17.34; 2) Don Childs, Wasilla, 17.13; 3) Steve Anderson, Anchorage, 16.92; 3) Richard Jensen, Palmer, 16.67; 4) Renee James, Wasilla, 16.45; 5) (tie) Joe Lima, Anchorage; Ken Pultier, Palmer, 16.34; 7) Laura Wilson, Girdwood, 16.19; 8) Nick Hunter, Anchorage, 16.05; 9) James Unrein, Seward, 15.95; 10) Roger Stoltz, Seward, 15.92.
Anchorage Daily News