July 27, 2011
Wednesday

In reply to Mr. Skidmore. You are misinformed sir. Snagging is allowed in the derby. The official rules state "Entries must be caught according to Alaska Sport fishing regulations." Alaska sport fishing regulations allow snagging. I have also been informed that at least one fish on the derby ladder was snagged, and he also received another prize for that fish.

Past rules used to state, no foul hooked fish, gaffed only in the head, or netted. At some time the rules were changed. As far as I am concerned, it should be changed back to those rules.

The idea of a derby is the skill of a fisherman to entice a fish to bite his or her lure, bait etc. Not to snag a fish when they pool up in the creek mouth. You can contact Russell Thomas at Clover Pass (he is a member of the derby committee) if you wish to either approve or disapprove of this practice.

Thank you,

Eric Tyson
Ketchikan, AK