The dock is back in the water at Hi-Lo and the 2012 fishing season has officially begun. Let’s go get some kings!!!!

And the 2012 Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby has announced major changes with more focus on conservation and released fish. The Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center announced a partnership with GCI and Stanley Ford in Kenai for the 2012 Homer Jackpot Halibut
Derby. GCI will offer derby entrants the opportunity to catch “The GCI $50,000 Tagged
Fish,” the largest tagged fish cash prize ever offered in Alaska. Stanley Ford in Kenai
will offer “The Stanley Ford of Kenai Ford F-150 Tagged Fish.”
“We’re excited about these two new partnerships,” said Monte Davis, Homer
Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center Executive Director. “The addition of these
prize opportunities will make our derby more popular than ever and offer a chance for
people of all fishing skills the chance to truly win big.”
Previously a “big fish” derby, the 26 year old Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby has
changed this year’s tournament format in an effort to be proactively conservation minded.
The derby historically offered monthly prizes for the four largest fish and a grand prize at
the end of the season for the largest fish.
“With halibut stocks declining, it has been obvious for a few years that we needed
to make changes,” said Davis. “We can no longer offer those prizes in good conscience.
We feel as though we are encouraging people who caught a fish larger than 75 pounds to
keep it for entry into the derby. We know now that those are the most prolific breeding
stock and it’s time for us to be leaders in encouraging measures that enhance future
generations.”
Beginning in 2012, the derby will offer monthly prizes for released fish only. Any
derby ticket holder who releases a fish over 50 pounds, which is witnessed by a captain
or other derby participant, will have their names entered into a drawing for a $1,000
monthly prize. Additionally, prizes valued at $250 will be drawn monthly for members
of the military (active or veterans) and senior citizens (55 and over). Also, for the first
time this year, all tagged fish from previous years are worth $100 in “Homer Bucks” to
derby ticket holders. Homer Bucks can be redeemed at any Homer Chamber of
Commerce & Visitor Center member business for goods and services. Finally, at the end
of the season, one cash prize of $5,000 will be drawn from all released fish entrants
throughout the year, a Kids prize (yet to be determined) will be drawn from all kids
tickets purchased throughout the year, a $5,000 prize will be drawn from ALL derby
entrants throughout the year and a grand prize of $10,000 will be awarded for the largest
fish in 2012. There are literally thousands of ways entrants can win!
The Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is the largest and longest running Jackpot Derby
in Alaska. The 2012 derby will begin May 15, 2012 and end September 15, 2012.

With the Kenai still frozen it is hard to believe we are less than two months away from hitting the river in search of first run salmon. Don’t forget to book your charters now, winter is on its way out.

Emmitt Trimble holding his prize winning fish with his boat mates – from left to right,
Joe, Aaron, and AJ Isenhour

The Homer Winter King Tournament was held on Sunday March 18, 2012. After the harsh winter Alaska has experience this year, everyone was looking forward to the derby, which is unofficially the kick-off of the fishing season and a great community event. The week before the tournament saw captains and crews trying to dig out their boats from the unusually deep snow, and committee members trying to decide if the harbor would be free of ice by the day of the derby. Mother Nature was cooperative and the tournament was held, despite a one day weather delay.

Emmitt Trimble caught a 34.85 lb king to win the derby and a $9,933 cash prize. For a complete list of fish caught and prizes won go to http://www.homeralaska.org/winterKingSalmonDerby/2012results.htm

Photos courtesy of LB at www.alaskaphotoguides.com

The Kasilof River is a tidal influenced, glacial fed river just south of Kenai. It is a drift boat only river and a hatchery enhanced fishery. Over the last several years the Kasilof has started to out shine the Kenai in June. It offers abundant wildlife, less fishing pressure, and some excellent tidewater fishing.
And unlike the Kenai, you may return to catch and release fishing after taking your bag limit. And some days is even open to double limits.

An average king salmon on the Kasilof is between 15-20 pounds, but each year sees a few upwards of 40 pounds.

Here’s your chance to save a few dollars on your next Kenai fishing trip.

From now until April 15, 2012 we will be offering a 15% discount off of our June and August 2012 salmon/halibut packages.

Please mention *website special* when calling for reservations or information

Dates and space are limited so call now to take advantage of this hot deal.