Peninsula Clarion - Outdoors

Still time for silver derby

There is still a week left in Port Graham's third annual Silver Salmon Derby hosted by Saint Herman's Orthodox Church. The contest, which began Aug. 24, runs around the clock until 4 p.m. Sept. 16.

The derby fee is $40 for the entire derby, or daily derby tickets may be purchased for $10, but only count for the day purchased. Derby tickets are available by calling the Variety Store at 284-2225 during business hours, or by calling on C.B. channel 5 for those arriving by boat.

Prizes are awarded by weight, and entrants may keep their fish or donate them to Port Graham elders. All fish must be hooked in the mouth.

Fish with snag marks or gillnet marks will not be accepted.

All fish to be entered must be presented in the round at the judge's stand at Jeff and Lydia McMullen's home from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., or at the Variety Store during store hours. Entrants must show their validated ticket, which must be for the day fish is caught, at the time of weighing-in.

For a full set of derby rules or more information about the derby, contact the McMullens at (907) 284-2327 or the Variety Store at (907) 284-2225.

Subsistence board to revisit Ninilchik issues

The Federal Subsistence Board will meet in a work session Thursday to revisit the November 2006 vote on the customary and traditional use of fish by residents of Ninilchik in the Kenai River, and hear an update on the Partners for Fisheries Monitoring Program.

Revisiting the customary and traditional use decision is required due to procedural errors in previous voting and will not include new public testimony on this issue.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Gordon Watson Conference Room of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage. Photo identification, such as a driver's license, is required to clear the security station at the building's entrance.

For teleconference information, special accommodations, or an agenda, contact Larry Buklis at (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3822, or by e-mail at Larry_Buklis@fws.gov.

State parks looking for volunteers

Alaska State Parks is looking for next summer's volunteers and is taking applications for all summer and winter positions. Approximately 60 campground host positions are available across the state, and another 80 volunteers are needed in a variety of positions such as archaeological assistant, ranger assistant, trail crew, natural history interpreter, and park caretaker.

The duties of some positions can be used for college credit, and volunteers receive training, uniforms, and an expense allowance. Most campground hosts also receive a free campsite or rustic housing. Most positions require a minimum commitment of four weeks.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens. The 2008 Volunteer Catalog describes the volunteer program, lists available positions and includes application forms. To request a free copy, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Alaska State Parks, 550 West 7th Ave, Suite 1380, Anchorage, AK 99501-3561, call (907) 269-8708, fax (907) 269-8907, or e-mail: dnr.pksvol@alaska.gov.

The catalog also is available on the Internet at http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/vip.