Alaska woman makes derby history with rare salmon catch

For the first time in 26 years a woman has won Alaska’s annual Homer Winter Salmon King Tournament, and her smile was that of one jubilant champion.

Shayna Perry of Eagle River prevailed over 1,401 participants Saturday with the catch of a 26.7-pound king salmon, which she proudly displayed during the weigh-in ceremony.

Shayna Perry is the first woman to win the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament. Photo: Jim Lavrakas/Far North Photography

Her catch was somewhat rare in that the salmon boasted white flesh rather than the deep-red meat found in most king salmon.

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According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, about one in 20 king salmon are white kings: fish that are unable to process pigments in their prey, notably red-colored crustaceans.

Shayna Perry won $28,040 with catch of 26.7-pound king salmon. Photo: Jim Lavrakas/Far North Photography

Catches of white king salmon are coveted among local anglers, and of the 180 king salmon caught during the Homer tournament, 37 were white kings.

Perry earned $28,040 for her triumph in a derby sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center.

Shayna Perry is congratulated for her victory. Photo: Jim Lavrakas/Far North Photography

It was her first time participating in the event and her catch was made 30 minutes before the “lines out” call aboard the Stella Maris 2, with Capt. Krzystof Balaban.

The second- and third-place catches weighed 25.44 pounds and 24.56 pounds, respectively.

–Photos courtesy of Jim Lavrakas/Far North Photography and Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center