Silver Salmon Derby celebrates 49th year: catch the biggest fish, or a tagged fish, and win big.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska This Month

It's competitive and intense, it's fun, it can net you up to a $50,000 prize, but most importantly, it's fishing in Alaska. The Seward Silver Salmon Derby, scheduled to run from 6 a.m. on Aug. 7 to noon on Aug. 21, is celebrating its 49th year and derby officials are expecting another excellent turnout.

"We're tagging 15 fish this year," said Judy Martin, events coordinator for the Seward Chamber of Commerce. "We get thousands of visitors. It's pretty intense."

The town of Seward is prepared for the huge wave of visitors, fishers and their families. It is an important time for local businesses and for sports outlets who supply those out seeking the prize fish.

Last year Alaskan MaryAnn Williams was the lucky one who caught the salmon tagged for the $50,000 prize. The fish tagged for the $100,000 prize, which will not be available this year, was still swimming free at the end of last year's derby. Among the 1.5 fish tagged this year, four will be worth $2,500 and five will have $100 tags, officials said. Other tagged or special fish have gift prizes as well.

"It's a two week derby," Martin said. "We're having a prize for each week for the most weight caught."

There are a few important things to consider in the derby. First is safety, and that means wearing the right clothes, Martin said. There also are rules that can disqualify anyone who doesn't follow them. Should there be any doubt as to a judge's decision regarding whether or not your fish is a silver, it will be weighed in and an Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist will render the decision. If it is not a silver, it will be disqualified.

"Everybody on your boat has to have a derby ticket," Martin said. This prevents people from bolstering their chances of a win without having valid tickets for everyone fishing. Every vessel propelled by a motor must have its name or number clearly displayed...