Anglers who catch fish in June will get a chance at a weekly raffle and at the top prize in a new Noyo Harbor Fishing Derby, but the contest”s purpose is actually to have more fish to cook July 1 at the World”s Largest Salmon Barbecue.
A brand new group, the North Coast Fisherman”s Association, and the Recreational Fishing Alliance have launched the derby to benefit the annual barbecue, sponsored by the Salmon Restoration Association.
The hope is for sport fishermen to donate fish they catch, while participating in the contest to catch the big one and helping the Salmon Restoration Association raise funds to operate the Hollow Tree Creek Salmon Hatchery. Prizes will run from fishing gear to overnight accommodations in the greater Fort Bragg area.
The benefit barbecue is threatened by salmon prices that Salmon Restoration Association President Joe Janisch predicts could reach $10 per pound for the fish used at the barbecue. That is due to the virtual shutdown of commercial fishing in Northern California and Oregon because of problems on the Klamath River. Local commercial fishermen once provided salmon for the event, but the Klamath issues have limited the local commercial catch during the barbecue time each year. This year, the commercial fishing was hit the hardest ever, and prices are seen as unpredictable.
Janisch said $10 per pound salmon prices would wipe out the gains from the barbecue and added that the SRA hopes sport fishermen can donate about 400 fish this year.
“Last year the barbecue only raised enough to get us through half the year. If it were not for the grant from the Fish and Game Department, we would not have made it,” Janisch said.
The Noyo Salmon Derby, planned for the entire month of June, is open to the public, and there is no entry fee.
After the catch, anglers can register their fish at the Sportsmen”s Dock in Noyo Harbor between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting May 26. The derby will run until 400 fish are donated. Fish brought to the dock will provide the angler a chance at the raffle and competitive category prizes. During the week anglers can take their donated fish to Mike Williamson at Redwood Liquors on Main Street in Fort Bragg.
Chinook salmon in California range in size from 10 pounds to whoppers at 50 pounds. In Alaska sport and commercial fishermen have landed fish over 90 pounds.
Local businesses are being sought to donate prizes for weekly drawings, and there will be a grand prize drawing at the end of June.
Janisch pointed out that funding for the Hollow Creek Hatchery will depend more and more on sport fishermen, rather than commercial fishermen and the money they provide to salmon restoration.
“Future grants are in jeopardy because commercial fishermen, as part of their license, pay into an account that is used to fund the hatchery and other salmon conservation work. Since more and more commercial fishermen are not fishing because of restrictions ? the fund is drying up. It is critical that the Association receive donated salmon from sport fishermen to supply the barbecue this year, or the fund-raiser will not be successful.”
To donate raffle prizes, contact Lance McGrath, North Coast Fishing Association, 964-5460. For questions about the salmon barbecue and SRA, contact Joe Janisch, president, 962-0548.
More information can be found about the Recreational Fishing Alliance at www.joinrfa.org or www.fishpolitics.com, and about the Salmon Restoration Association at salmonrestoration.org.
