Anchorage Angler Wins the 17th Annual Homer winter king salmon tournament

The 17th Annual Winter King Tournament is now in the history books. The weather was clear and crisp, the water smooth, and the wind light. It was a perfect day for fishing. The 2010 Winter King Salmon Tournament, held on Saturday, March 20. had all the ingredients for a spectacular day. Since its inception in 1994, this tournament was, at lease according to the numbers, one of the most successful tournaments on record.

This year a total of 865 anglers on 259 boats took part in the annual ritual marking the end of winter. Both these numbers were the second highest ever in the history of the tournament and most since the record breaking 2005 tournament. The winning fish caught by Scott Ross of Anchorage, was also one of the largest ever landed, weighing in at 38.5 lbs winning him $18,165 in cash. Scott as captain of his own boat, the "Sara Nichole", also was awarded the John Hillstrand Memorial Trophy, in honor of the late John Hillstrand.

Of the top ten fish caught, six were caught by Kenai Peninsula anglers from Homer, Soldotna and Anchor Point. Rounding out the top ten were fish caught by anglers from Eagle River and Olympia, WA, in addition to those from Anchorage. Anglers came from a number of states outside of Alaska including New York, California, Colorado, Ohio, Michigan, Washington, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada and Hawaii

According to the Paul Dauphinais, Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, a number of people commented on how this was one of the best tournaments ever. Paul noted that the work of the Winter King Committee and its coordinator Paula Frisinger had a great deal to do with the success of the event. While the weather certainly cooperated, the experience and efforts of the committee members and numerous volunteers were key to the great success of this year's tournament. The Chamber would not be able to conduct events like this tournament without the wonderful help of our volunteers and generous support of our sponsors.

Total prize payout awarded to the top 10 finishers was $64,875. Boat side bet winners took home $50,306, totaling overall $115,181 in cash prizes and close to $10,000 in merchandise prizes.

Learn the complete results
 

2010 Winter King Salmon Tournament first, second and third place winners.

From left to right:

First Place Winner Scott Ross and his daughter of Anchorage

Second Place Winner Charlie Edwards of Homer

Third Place Winner Brenda Hays of Homer