Registration has started for the annual Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament, to be held starting 9 a.m. Saturday, March 24. Sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, the tournament is its biggest fundraiser and helps provide local businesses “with a much-needed shot in the arm at the end of a long winter,” marketing director Bridget Maryott said in a press release. Lines go in at 9 a.m. and out at 4 p.m., with a party starting at 3 p.m. at Coal Point Seafoods as anglers bring fish in to be weighed.
New for this year, in the interest of conservation and stewardship, the Winter King Committee and Chamber board of directors decided to limit the number of king salmon caught at this year’s tournament to one fish per registered angler.
“We encourage you to harvest just one fish and join us in solidarity; in being good stewards of our resource and the long-term sustainability of our fishery and the Homer Winter King Tournament,” said chamber executive director Debbie Speakman.
In the 2017 tournament, Ronald Johnson of Homer won first place and took home more than $53,000 in winnings for his 25.65-pound white king salmon. One-thousand and seven anglers registered, fishing in 299 boats and catching and weighing 216 fish. The tournament awarded $122,000 in cash and prizes. There also are opportunities for side bets and prizes offered every hour of the tournament. In-person registration and side bets are March 21-23 at the chamber. For more information and registration, visit http://www.homerwinterking.com/
Boats return to the Homer Harbor on Saturday after the end of the 24th annual Homer Winter King Tournament on March 23, 2017. One-thousand and 12 anglers registered in the tournament in 314 boats, catching 110 king salmon weighing 1,584 pounds total. Anglers also caught 27 white kings weighing 438 pounds total. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
Ron Johnson holds his winning king salmon of 25.65 pounds, at the 24th annual Homer Winter King Tournament on Saturday, March 23, 2017. One-thousand and 12 anglers registered in the tournament in 314 boats, catching 110 king salmon weighing 1,584 pounds total. Anglers also caught 27 white kings weighing 438 pounds total. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News).
