With a tug and a whir the line is off. Fish on! The Chinook thrashes on the end, darts below, then surges up and out for a flailing splash on the surface to reveal his blue-green head, black spots, and silvery sides.

Running through Juneau all year with a peak run from May to July, the Chinook - or king salmon - is Alaska's state fish. This sport fish provides gourmet meals and rigorous entertainment each year as fishers gather on rocky shores and in boats to compete in the annual Spring King Derby each May. The month-long derby sets itself apart from the rest with shore fishing, festivities, and competitions ranging from the eldest veteran to weigh in to the largest weigh-in by a child.

King salmon, the largest and least abundant of the salmon species, average 36" and weigh around 30 pounds. Last year's Spring King Derby winner brought in a 34.75-pound king. The record Chinook, caught near Petersburg, weighed in at 126 pounds, but some reports claim landing a 135-pound king salmon.

From skiff to yacht - charter a boat or rent one to captain, and land a king worth writing home about. Most charters include tackle, bait, and cleaning for full- or half-day adventures. Angle for the derby prizes compiled of cash, trips, gear, and more with a breathtaking land of mountains, rainforest, and sea converging around you.

Beginning May 1, no shore will be clear, no troller stagnant, and no king salmon less than coveted as the competition begins. Annually sponsored by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, the Spring King Derby brings the community out to fish for a cause. By purchasing an entry ticket, everyone wins by supporting a scholarship fund while having a sporting good time.