More than 9,000 anglers took to the water during the 7th annual Northwest Salmon Derby Series, an eight-month fishing promotion program directed by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA) - producers of the Seattle Boat Show.
The 2010 Derby Series, presented by Allstate Boat Insurance, partnered with 15 derbies throughout the region to promote salmon fishing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. First created in 2004 with six events on the schedule, the Northwest Salmon Derby Series has more than doubled in size and attracted people to the water from Portland, Oregon to the U.S./Canadian border in Bellingham, Washington. NMTA’s Director of Fishing Affairs Tony Floor has been the lead organizer for the Derby Series since its inception.
“I firmly believe, despite the challenges with these economic times,” says Floor, “The Derby Series draws anglers from throughout the Pacific Northwest as salmon fishing continues to be one of the positive outdoor activities alive and well throughout the year. If someone told me, beginning with an idea back in the fall of 2003, that we would witness the kind of response we are enjoying from the sport fishing public, through a Derby Series, I’m not sure I would have believed it.”
Every angler who participated in one of the derbies received a raffle ticket to win the Series grand prize - a fully-outfitted 20-foot Stabi-Craft super cab fishing boat, powered with a 130 h.p. E-Tech Evinrude, and a galvanized Quality Trailer. The loaded boat comes equipped with Scotty Downriggers, Lowrance high-definition GPS/fish finder and radar, and a Dual Stereo system. The package has an estimated retail value of $50,000. Anglers who placed in the top standings in any of the derbies, received additional raffle tickets in the drawing.
On Sunday, September 19, angler Gary Curtis was selected as the 2010 grand prize winner at the conclusion of the Everett Coho Derby. Curtis, who participated in the Edmonds Coho Derby on September 11, was elated when he took the call from Floor.
“You have got to be kidding me,” exclaimed Curtis over the phone. “I have never won anything in my life!” Curtis was on a boat fishing in British Columbia when he received the call.
Expanded fishing seasons in the region have spawned more derbies in the area in the last two years. Two new derbies were added in 2010 after the start of this year’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series. Any anglers who participate in the Bayside Marine Derby in Everett, Washington, November 6-7, and the Resurrection Derby in Friday Harbor, Washington, December 3-4, will be entered to win the to-be-determined grand prize package offered during the 2011 Salmon Derby Series.
“I am confident we will have another killer boat package to help promote the 2011 Derby Series,” says Floor, “And I can’t wait to teach it how to fish and follow me around to 15 derbies next year.”
The Northwest Salmon Derby Series is funded by NMTA’s regional Grow Boating program. Since 2003, NMTA has operated its own Grow Boating fund through collecting a portion of exhibit space fees collected at its Seattle Boat Show each January. Since that time, NMTA has spent more than $1M in the region to promote boating through events, promotions, advertising campaigns and grants. More information online at http://www.northwestsalmonderbyseries.com/.
The 2010 Derby Series, presented by Allstate Boat Insurance, partnered with 15 derbies throughout the region to promote salmon fishing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. First created in 2004 with six events on the schedule, the Northwest Salmon Derby Series has more than doubled in size and attracted people to the water from Portland, Oregon to the U.S./Canadian border in Bellingham, Washington. NMTA’s Director of Fishing Affairs Tony Floor has been the lead organizer for the Derby Series since its inception.
“I firmly believe, despite the challenges with these economic times,” says Floor, “The Derby Series draws anglers from throughout the Pacific Northwest as salmon fishing continues to be one of the positive outdoor activities alive and well throughout the year. If someone told me, beginning with an idea back in the fall of 2003, that we would witness the kind of response we are enjoying from the sport fishing public, through a Derby Series, I’m not sure I would have believed it.”
Every angler who participated in one of the derbies received a raffle ticket to win the Series grand prize - a fully-outfitted 20-foot Stabi-Craft super cab fishing boat, powered with a 130 h.p. E-Tech Evinrude, and a galvanized Quality Trailer. The loaded boat comes equipped with Scotty Downriggers, Lowrance high-definition GPS/fish finder and radar, and a Dual Stereo system. The package has an estimated retail value of $50,000. Anglers who placed in the top standings in any of the derbies, received additional raffle tickets in the drawing.
On Sunday, September 19, angler Gary Curtis was selected as the 2010 grand prize winner at the conclusion of the Everett Coho Derby. Curtis, who participated in the Edmonds Coho Derby on September 11, was elated when he took the call from Floor.
“You have got to be kidding me,” exclaimed Curtis over the phone. “I have never won anything in my life!” Curtis was on a boat fishing in British Columbia when he received the call.
Expanded fishing seasons in the region have spawned more derbies in the area in the last two years. Two new derbies were added in 2010 after the start of this year’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series. Any anglers who participate in the Bayside Marine Derby in Everett, Washington, November 6-7, and the Resurrection Derby in Friday Harbor, Washington, December 3-4, will be entered to win the to-be-determined grand prize package offered during the 2011 Salmon Derby Series.
“I am confident we will have another killer boat package to help promote the 2011 Derby Series,” says Floor, “And I can’t wait to teach it how to fish and follow me around to 15 derbies next year.”
The Northwest Salmon Derby Series is funded by NMTA’s regional Grow Boating program. Since 2003, NMTA has operated its own Grow Boating fund through collecting a portion of exhibit space fees collected at its Seattle Boat Show each January. Since that time, NMTA has spent more than $1M in the region to promote boating through events, promotions, advertising campaigns and grants. More information online at http://www.northwestsalmonderbyseries.com/.
