Lopeman wins Chimacum alumni derby



Randy Lopeman won the 2011 Chimacum High School Alumni Salmon Derby with a 24-pound, 6-ounce fish he caught July 17. Photo by Billy Eldridge


Tim Twiggs displays his second-place, 23-pound, 6-ounce entry.

CHS Alumni Derby 2011 prize ladder
Place Name Fish weight1) Randy Lopeman 24-6
2) Tim Twiggs 23-6

3) Bob Eldridge 23-3

4) Stan Lea 22-0

5) Tanis Arey 21-8

6) Mike Thacker 21-10

7) Wayne Chisholm 20-11

8) Wayne Clement 20-7

9) Jason Minish 20-7

10) Dan Hilt 20-2



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Randy Lopeman knew when he played his fish near the boat that he might have the Chimacum High School Alumni Association Salmon Derby winner.
The 1970 CHS graduate was using cut plug herring off Craven Rock on the east side of Marrowstone Island about 8 a.m. Sunday, July 17. The salmon came on and he fought it for 15 minutes in 8 to 12 feet of water. At first jump he thought it might be a 15-pounder, but it weighed out at 24 pounds, 6 ounces.

Tim Twiggs placed second with an entry weighing 23 pounds, 6 ounces and Bob Eldridge was third at 23-3. (Eldridge was second last year with a 25-9 entry). The derby cash prizes for top three entries were $1,000, $500 and $250, respectively.

Ashton Bibbens won the kids' salmon derby with an 11-1 entry while Kaitlyn Cater was second with an 8-10 salmon.

Derby sponsors thank the anglers who turned out in weekend weather that included fog and rain. The second annual fundraising tourney benefiting the Chimacum Alumni Association sold 100 adult tickets and 10 kids' derby tickets. That is fewer total tickets than last year but enough for at least a $500 scholarship, said Billy Eldridge, alumni president.

Key derby supporters were Hadlock Building Supply, Just Ask Rental, Eldridge Homes Inc., Four Corners Store and LPL Financial Services/Rich Gastfield.

Greg Brooks weighed the entries at the marina in Port Hadlock. Sherrie Rogers ran the fish board.