Rough seas didn’t keep anglers from braving Kachemak Bay for a chance to win the 2017 Homer Elks Lodge #2127 Winter King Salmon Derby. Ed Scribner caught the top king with a 24.60-pound beauty fishing on the F/V Sea Wolf. Ron Johnson took second with a 22.20-pound king on the F/V Oly John and Patrick Hankins was third with a 20.40-pound king on the F/V Sound Escape. Bethany Casey had a 20.30-pound king on the F/V Misty, winning first place for the lady angler division.

With only 175 anglers, including women, 84 fish caught and 793.45 weighed, this year’s derby was down from 2016, when 204 anglers caught 372 fish for a total weight of 3,350 pounds. Proceeds from the $100 per angler entry fees help support Elks youth, veterans and community charity programs.