California woman takes unique derby position with 273.6-pound fish </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 8:49 PM on Wednesday, August 12, 2009

California woman takes unique derby position with 273.6-pound fish

By McKibben Jackinsky
Staff writer

First of all, Tom Youngblood of Homer is still the frontrunner in the 2009 Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby. Some big halibut have been caught since the derby began May 1, but nothing bigger than Youngblood's 354.6-pound barndoor caught June 26 aboard the Sweet T. with Capt. Ron Hurley of In-2-Fishin Charters.

That said, the derby got a little more interesting last week, when Dora Orendayn of Corona Del Mar, Calif., hooked into a 273.6-pound halibut Aug. 8 aboard the Ocean Hunter with Capt. Keith Kalke of Ocean Hunter Charters. That lucky catch puts Orendayn in a unique spot. Or two spots, as the case may be: lead Lady Angler and first-place angler for the month.

Dora Orendayn of Corona Del Mar, Calif., hooked into a 273.6-pound halibut. That lucky catch puts Orendayn in a unique spot. Or two spots, as the case may be: lead Lady Angler and first-place angler for the month.

"Here's is the twist. (Orendayn) can only take one prize, so will she be the leader for August and go home with $1,000 or will she get knocked down and only take the $500 prize?" said Paula Frisinger, derby coordinator.

On the heels of Orendayn's catch, Connie Dunphy of Anchorage came in Aug. 8 with a very nice 183-pound halibut caught with Capt. Steve Morphis aboard The Big Easy, a private boat.

So now, Dunphy is on the edge of her chair as she waits to see what will happen to Orenadyn and how that might impact August's winner of the Lady Angler division.

"This will be determined at the end of the month if not sooner, depending on the fishing anglers and the fish caught and brought in with their derby tickets," Frisinger said. "This is so unusual, it is exciting to see what is going to happen to these gals. Both are very excited and both understand this procedure, as well anyone bringing a contender for the Lady Angler."

One lady angler not wondering about her winnings is Cori Freischlag of Colorado, fishing on a private boat with Capt. Darin Applebury. Freischlag caught a halibut sporting a tag sponsored by Smokey Bay Air, worth $500.

That's the second tagged halibut caught this month. While fishing on a private boat with Capt. Bob Russell, Ted Robinett of Homer hooked into a halibut wearing a $1,000 tag sponsored by Land's End Resort.

"Who says ladies aren't fisherladies?" Frisinger said. "Here is the challenge to all you anglers. It sure does pay off to buy that derby ticket."

Standings for the month of August are:

First place: 273.6-pound halibut caught by Dora Orendayn;

Second place: 254.4-pound halibut caught by Matthew Hagerty of Coralville, Iowa, Aug. 6 aboard the Donna Mae with Capt. Steve Button of Crystal Sea Charters;

Third place: 195.4-pound halibut caught by Jerry Saunders of Chugiak, Aug. 2, aboard the Slow Goin, a private boat, with Capt. Ken Petska

Fourth place: 189.8-pound halibut caught by Allen Mattox of Homer, Aug. 1, aboard the Northern Lights with Capt. Mark Millspaugh of Aurora Sportfishing.

Since May 1, 10 tagged halibut have been caught and four halibut have been released.

Some reminders: The derby ends Sept. 30; derby tickets are $10 and must be purchased prior to fishing; six $10,000 tagged halibut are still out there somewhere; and Homer has a two-halibut limit per day, per person.

For more derby information, contact Frisinger at 235-7740 or 399-2436.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky.@homernews.com.