The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, head down to the Elochoman Slough Marina where the Wooden Boat Show and Buzzard Breath Chili Cookoff will coincide with the first day of the Fall Fishing Frenzy Salmon Derby.

The Fall Fishing Frenzy Salmon Derby begins on Saturday and continues until September 7.

"To celebrate the return of the largest number of salmon on record,” Bud Mickelsen said, “we are having nine days of fun, fishing and competition to determine the best fisherman.”

Derby tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youths 14 and under. The tickets can be purchased at the Elochoman Slough Marina office, Vista Park and the Bank of the Pacific in Cathlamet and Naselle.

“Who will win the coveted gold and silver, salmon, belt buckle and rod and reel?” Mickelsen asked. Custom rods, reels and tackle make up just a few of the more than $4000 in prizes. Everyone that purchases a ticket will automatically be entered to win a custom rod.

On Saturday, September 6, at 4 p.m., there will be a salmon barbecue at the marina for the public. It will be $10 per person or $25 per family. Organizers will auction off five custom fishing rods at that time.

The derby ends at 12 noon on Sunday, September 7, when prizes will be awarded for Biggest Salmon, Biggest Salmon Caught by a Woman and Biggest Salmon Caught by a Youth.

All registrants must enter their own fish, which must be gutted and gilled before weigh-in.

Proceeds will go to the Wahkiakum School GAP program, the Kids Backpack Food program and the St. James Family Center Mentoring Program.

For more information, contact Mickelsen at 849-4976, Tom at 957-5676 or John at 795-3664.

The Wooden Boat Show, traditionally the same weekend as Bald Eagle Days, has moved to the last weekend in August, with most of the festivities taking place on Saturday.

Event organizers hope to grow and expand the event for future years.

There are about a dozen boats entered this year, according to organizer and Port Commissioner Bob Kizziar.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., speakers will tackle different topics in the marina breezeway.

At 10 a.m., historian Irene Martin will talk about local history.

At 11 a.m., Puget Island resident Dave Whitney will read the poems of the late Doug Fleming, a fisher poet.

At 12 noon, a representative from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will talk about the sport reward pike minnow program.

At 1 p.m. Chuck Sarin from Wooden Boat Clinic in Astoria will talk about his experiences collecting and restoring Tollycraft.

At 2 p.m. there will be a rubber ducky race.

A boat-making booth for kids will be open throughout the day and there will be craft and food vendors for all.

Visitors will be asked to vote for their favorite boat and the winners will be announced at 3 p.m. on the bandstand near the Drop Anchor Brewery, which will be having a beer garden from 3-8 p.m.

Jerry Ledtke and the VIBES band will play from 3-5 p.m.

On Sunday, at noon, the wooden boats will celebrate the end of the show with a Farewell Parade from the marina to the bridge.

The Buzzard Breath Chili Cook-off is in transition, according to Chamber of Commerce Director, Ashley Turner.

The event will be held this Saturday, and once again teams will compete for “Best Chili."

To mark a shift in events, however, locals Sandra Rieder and Angi Doumit-Sauer will be making a pot of chowder to complement the Wooden Boat Show.

Next year the Chamber of Commerce hopes to sponsor a chowder cook-off in place of the chili cook-off.

Tasting is from 3-5 p.m., and it’s $7 for a bowl.

Festivities at this weekend’s cook-off include a flat bread throwing competition, the rubber ducky race at 2 p.m., and a crowd favorite, the cow plop contest. Unique prizes have been donated by merchants on Main Street, according to Turner.

There are still openings to take part in the chili competition. To participate, call the Chamber of Commerce at 795-9996.