On Aug. 4, 1986, the Golden North Salmon Derby had reached its ending point — and with a big splash. For lifelong Juneau resident and speculative derby winner, John Estes, his prizewinning salmon certainly would have done exactly that if he had not caught it first. The king salmon was measured at a whopping 38 pounds and 7 ounces, the heaviest since the 1979 Golden North Salmon Derby. Estes caught it while coasting near south Shelter Island during a seemingly slow day for every fisherman out on the water. Though the scores were still unofficial, Estes definitely caught a winner.
Sadly, according to the City and Borough of Juneau, fishermen were leaving town — and taking their fish with them. In attempt to keep fish home, CBJ announced it would be investing in a $1.63 million project that would create a new fishing facility on the Juneau side of Douglas Bridge. The move was intended to keep fishermen inside of Juneau, rather than have them continue to move out.
Meanwhile, in fiscal news, the Alaska Public Employees Association had agreed to poll its members individually to see which union members would be willing to work extra hours without pay to help close the state’s deficit. Rumors of a special session started to brew among Alaska legislators, and new cuts to student aid would not affect those who had already applied but would affect new applicants in the winter.
“This Day in Juneau History” is compiled by Empire intern Tasha Elizarde, who sums up the day’s events — 30 years ago — by perusing Empire archives.
