Homer anglers proved this weekend that nobody knows Kachemak Bay quite like them, securing the top four spots in the 23rd Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament, Alaska's biggest and richest one-day fishing festival.
Eric Holland claimed the top prize of $31,668 for his 26.5-pound chinook, more than a pound heftier than Kelly Grose's king. Colt Belmonte secured third place with a 24.9-pounder, and Joe Martishev Jr.'s 23-pounder was fourth.
In addition to the $16,588 Belmonte claimed for his big fish, the angler picked up another $30,674 in side bets.
Not that the home boys didn't have competition. A record 1,508 anglers — the equivalent of about 28 percent of Homer's population — registered, 14 percent more than last year's record turnout. But all those anglers caught 24 percent fewer kings, a total of 448 fish.
The first one was weighed about 10 minutes after the derby began at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Taken together, the top four fish paid a combined $81,432 to the quartet of lucky — make that skilled — anglers.
One of them was 22-year-old Martishev, who fished from his father's boat, Play Bouy, a vessel they purchase last year and toward which his earnings will go.
After a chilly start to the day, with temperatures in the 20s and the wind blowing 25 knots, the father-and-son team went to the head of the bay seeking calmer waters.
"People were catching fish left and right around us," Marishev said. "We must have seen about 25 kings caught in an hour and a half. It's ridiculous how much people are fishing the derby these days."
Before long, they headed to deeper water, about 70 feet, and a king grabbed Marishev's herring.
"He came up very quickly, but then he took off straight down to the bottom," Marishev said. "It must have been a 15- to 20-minute fight to get him to the boat."
Awaiting the big fish was a new scale Marishev purchased Friday. "So we put it to good use right away," he said.
The tournament will be Marashev's last sport fishing for a while. The commercial fisherman is headed out this week seeking gray cod.
All together, according to the Homer Chamber of Commerce, 448 boats and 20 kayaks participated. And the heavy snowfall that greeted Anchorage residents Saturday morning didn't arrive in Homer until about 6:30 p.m.
Homer Winter King Tournament
Top Finishers, Prize Money
1) Eric Holland, Homer, 26.45 pounds, $31,668; 2) Kelly Gross, Homer, 25.3 pounds, $21,112; 3) Colt Belmonte, Homer, 24.8 pounds, $16,588; 4) Joe Martishev Jr., Homer, 23.1 pounds, $12,064; 5) Jeff Loop, Anchor Point, 20.45 pounds, $9,048; 6) Barbara Shipps, Kenai, 20.5 pounds, $7,540; 7) Gregory Stone, Anchorage, 20.1 pounds, $6,032; 8) Mike Benoit, Homer, 19.9 pounds, $4,524; 9) Evelyn Davis, Anchor Point, 18.4 pounds, $3,016; 10) Juan Raul Vazquez, Kenai, $1,508.
Youth Award
1) Eero Walli, Valdez, 15.5 pounds, $300 and merchandise.
White King
1) Mike Benoit, Homer, 19.9 pounds, $250.
Kayak Award
1) Jacob Graves, Kasilof, 17.3 pounds, merchandise.