2008 Derby Rules

Date & Times

Derby begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 20 and closes at 9:00 p.m. on July 13.

Entry Fee

The Derby fee is $10 for youth (under 16) for Entire Derby; $30 for adult, $50 PRO CLASS (16 & older)
(Pro Class Contestants are eligible to compete for cash prizes, as well as all of the other Adult Prizes!)

Eligibility

Any contestant who complies with Derby rules is eligible. All contestants must have a current sport fishing license as required by Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game (youths under 16 years of age are not required to possess a sport fishing license, however adult supervision is suggested and a Harvest Record Card is required by ADF&G). Sponsors, their employees and committee members/weigh station employees are eligible to compete in Derby, but are not eligible to win prizes which they have supplied for the Derby. All contestants must comply with Alaska Department of Fish & Game regulations.

Tackle

King Salmon to be entered in the Derby must be caught with rod and reel. Entrants shall fish using one pole only. Violations of these rules will permanently disqualify any individual on shore, or any boat and all its occupants.

Derby Boundary Limits

The area for King Salmon fishing in this derby includes all legal waters in the Susitna River Drainages, (Units 1 through 6 as identified on page 45 in the 2007 Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game Regulations Summary) as well as the Eklutna Tailrace and the Little Susitna River, both part of the Knik Arm Drainage. Any individuals who are discovered to have fished in areas not included within the official Derby boundaries will be disqualified from this and all subsequent Chamber Derbies.

Weigh-in and Judging

All King Salmon to be entered in the Derby must be hooked in the mouth, caught within derby boundaries and weighed in at one of our official Derby Weigh-in locations. Prior to weighing in your fish you will be asked to present a valid 2008 Alaska Fishing license or Harvest card, a valid Derby ticket, and a King stamp which indicates you have entered the fish to be weighed. Failure to comply with any of these regulations will prevent weighing-in your fish. All fish may be opened and checked. All King Salmon to be entered must weigh a minimum of ten (10) pounds.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest King Salmon entered each week, as well as for the heaviest entered for the entire Derby period. Ties will first be decided by the length, then by date of ticket purchase, and finally by the flip of a coin. Overall prizes will also be awarded on the Basis of any-king-entered (min. 10lbs.) raffle drawings. Professional Fishing Guides are excluded from winning the two $10,000 tagged fish cash prizes.

Weekly ‘Weight-Match’ Contest (How it works)

Fish weighing closest to the pre-selected weight for that week wins the prize. In the event of more than one fish matching the pre-selected weight for that week, the tie will first be decided by length, then by a raffle drawing.

Photographs

Photographs of contestants and any fish entered become the sole property of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, and may be used for publicity purposes without compensation.

Judges Decisions

Derby judges’ decisions and rules of the Derby herein outlined shall be considered final and binding upon the contestants and sponsors. The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to make decisions on all matters pertaining to the Derby, including eligibility, weights, time limits, right to receive awards, and all matters relative to participation in conduct of the Derby. Judges may disqualify a fish or fisherman for any reason whatsoever, and decisions of judges on all matters pertaining to this contest shall be final.

Waiver of Liabilities

The purchase of a Derby ticket constitutes a waiver of liabilities, absolving the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, it’s Directors and Staff, and all sponsors from any damages of liability which may occur after entering the Derby.

Acceptance of Derby Regulations

Purchase of a Derby ticket indicates your acceptance of all regulations relating to the Mat-Su King Salmon Derby.

Claiming of Prizes

Prize winners need not be present to win. Prizes not claimed in person by September 30, 2008 are automatically forfeit. Prize winners must also present positive identification as well as their derby ticket stub at the time of claiming. Mailing of any prize will only occur after pre-payment of postage by the Prize Winner. Cash awards for Youth category winners must be signed for, and will only be presented to a parent or legal guardian.

Derby Results

Weekly updates of the largest fish weighted-in and final results will be available on the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce website
immediately upon verification/certifications: www.matsukingsalmonderby.com

Updates and results will be forwarded to Frontiersman, Anchorage Daily News and KMBQ 99.7fm Valley Radio.

See also: 2008 Weight Stations, and 2008 Ticket Sales.