The 16th annual Roche Harbor Salmon Classic kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 17 with a total of 357 anglers on 100 boats. In addition, there were two “Salmon for Soldiers” boats that participated. Seventy-one fish were weighed in on Jan. 18 and 77 weighed the following day. A total of $28,000 in cash prizes was awarded.
The winners were as follows:
• First place, $12,000: Paul McAbee from Bellingham, with a 19 pounds 13 ounces.
• Second place, $5,000: Michael Porter from Issaquah, 17 pounds 12 ounces.
• Third place, $3,000: Connor Ryan from Mount Vernon, 15 pounds 10 ounces.
• Fourth place, $2,000: Paul McAbee from Bellingham, 14 pounds 11 ounces.
• Fifth place, $1,000: Bill Shaw from Friday Harbor, 14 pounds 9 ounces.
• Best boat total weight, $2,000: Greg Gorder, Friday Harbor, 46 pounds 11 ounces.
• Mystery fish, $2,000: Jason Bontrager from Goodyear, Arizona, 8 pounds 11 ounces.
• Salmon for Soldiers, $500: Troy Hakala from Gresham, Oregon, 9 pounds 1 ounce.
• Salmon for Soldiers, $500: Wayne Pong, Oregon City, Oregon, 7 pounds.