Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

One year ago John Goldingay, of Driftwood Key, took home $3,250 for winning the 32nd Discovery Bay Derby with a 19-pound, 4-ounce salmon.

James Hicks, of Port Townsend, took home $1,750 for catching a 16-6 fish and Jay Campbell, also of Port Townsend, won $750 for third spot with a 14-9 fish.

Last year 113 fish were scaled, many smaller fish were not weighed and 43 fish prizes were awarded. Every fish had a clipped fin.

Only clipped fish can be claimed again this year but the cash prizes are much larger.

The three-day derby will be Feb. 14-16 and anglers will celebrate Valentine's Day as well as Presidents Day.

First prize this year will be $5,000 and that's equal to the top prize to be given in May at the Port Angeles Salmon Club's Halibut Derby.

Second money is $2,000 and third prize is $1,000 thanks to 7 Cedars Casino. Fourth and fifth prizes will be $500 and $300 and there will be special Valentine's Day Sweetheart prize of $500 for the woman or girl submitting the largest salmon on Feb. 14.

There will be bonus cash of $250 for the largest salmon each day and the first salmon to break the derby record of 25 pounds, 4 ounces, will get $700.

As always, proceeds benefit Jefferson County Volunteer Fire District No. 5. The entry fee is $30 per person for one day or all three days and everyone in the boat must be registered.

Saturday and Sunday fishing will be daylight to 3 p.m. and Monday daylight until noon. Drop-off stations are John Wayne Marina, Gardiner Boat Ramp and Port Townsend Boat Haven. No station at Diamond Point. All three stations will have scales.

Derby tickets and rules are at all registration locations including Swain's Outdoor in Sequim, Swain's Outdoor in P.T. and Swain's in Port Angeles with other locations in Blyn and Discovery Bay.

Derby tickets also are online at www.SwainsInc.com.



Top 10

The clipped fin idea is working and more hatchery fish are being caught each year. With a large fishing area, more launch ramps and weigh stations and lower gas prices, 2009 should be a record-setting derby and organizers have include spouses.

According to the brochure insert, here are the top 10 reasons to go fishing on Valentine's Day.

10. But dear ... it's fishing season.

9. $5,000 first prize.

8. $500 Valentine's Day Sweetheart prize open only to girls and women.

7. On Saturday night, let's go out for dinner and dancing.

6. All our friends will be there.

5. If the weather is bad, then we can stay home.

4. Beautiful dawn sunrise over the water.

3. I've arranged this special private day for you to pamper yourself, without me.

2. Seriously, what else were we going to do?

1. Wouldn't it be romantic to go fishing together?



Wednesday whirl

The college bowl season finally is over and fans are clamoring for a playoff, but it will not happen in our lifetime. Oklahoma squandered several chances to score more points and Florida claimed the mythical national title.

USC looked awfully good and so did Utah. The Chapman forecast wound up 18-16 and that's not bad for just picking off the top of the noggin. Now let's get ready for Super Bowl Sunday.



Scooter Chapman can be reached at scooter@olypen.com.