Despite rain, huge tides and precious little sunshine, some 40 kayaks, rowboats, sailboats and a guy on a paddleboard wearing scuba diving gear showed up for Seldovia's ninth annual Human Powered Fishing Derby on Friday through Sunday.
After a struggle, Erin McKittrick hauled in a 31.5-pound halibut, the biggest fish of the weekend.
Seldovia's is the rare fish derby in which the angler landing the biggest fish isn't necessarily the winner. Instead, all anglers who catch fish — whether halibut, salmon, black bass, gray cod or something else — are automatically entered in a drawing. McKittrick won that, too, taking home the top prize of a Perception kayak.
"Every year is different," said organizer Tim Dillon, who created the tournament nearly a decade ago. "There were standing waves, and a lot of rowers and kayakers were feeling it afterward. Not many fish were caught."
The tournament culminates with a big fish fry Sunday at the Seldovia harbor pavilion. Dillon estimated more than 200 people turned out.
"I was thinking it might be a slow year with the weather, but everything went well," he said. "So many kids are involved, it's a neat thing to show them they can catch dinner."
Halibut derbies cranking up
Although it's early in the season, particularly for big fish, Southcentral halibut derbies are underway.
In Valdez, Robert Calton of Eielson Air Force Base reeled in a 94.8-pound halibut Friday aboard the Dan Orion to grab an early lead in the Valdez Halibut Derby. At stake is $15,000 for the winner, $5,000 for second place and $2,000 for third.
Last year's winner was a 253-pounder caught May 29.
On the Kenai Peninsula, 12-year-old Darren Benedetti's 104-pound flatfish, reeled in last week, leads the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby. Benedetti was fishing aboard Homer Ocean Charters boat Diamond Cape.
Elsewhere on the Peninsula, Seward's month-long halibut derby kicks off at 5:30 p.m. today (May 31) with a barbecue at the derby booth in the Seward Boat Harbor. Tickets are $10 for one day or $25 for three days.
Help fix Campbell Tract trails
Trail lovers can help improve some of their favorite paths in Campbell Tract on Saturday when the Bureau of Land Management marks National Trails Day.
Volunteers will help improve access to streams in areas that have eroded, build and repair fencing and plant trees. Tools will be provided, with work starting at 9 a.m. after registration. Access Campbell Tract off Elmore Road near East 68th Avenue.
Afterward, pizza will be provided to volunteers. For details, contact Maureen Clark at 267-1420.