The Homer Chamber of Commerce and the Winter King Tournament Committee have decided to cancel the 2020 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament scheduled for April 25, in response to the guidelines from state and federal authorities.
According to Homer Chamber Board President Tom Soderholm: “This was a very difficult decision as this tournament has become the premier fishing tournament in Alaska enjoyed by participants throughout Alaska and many other states. It also gives us the opportunity to showcase our very popular Homer Harbor and local businesses. However, our priorities now must be focused on the safety of our community members and getting in front of the COVID-19 virus. We look forward to getting this tournament back to normal in 2021, so mark your calendars for Saturday, March 20, 2021.”
The 1st Annual Homer Halibut Tournament is scheduled for June 5 – 6. The Chamber has pledged to continue monitoring the Coronavirus situation as it relates to the registration process for the Halibut tournament. Updates about that tournament will be posted on the Homer Halibut Tournament Facebook page and the Homer Chamber of Commerce website at https://www.homeralaska.org.
Brad Anderson, Executive Director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce has called the Winter King Tournament the biggest fishing tournament in Alaska, and Homer’s biggest event of the year. Every March, anglers take to the waters of Kachemak Bay in search of King Salmon. The one-day tournament awards tens of thousands of dollars in prize money to the largest kings caught, with Shayna Perry winning almost $73,000 in her first time fishing the tournament last year. In 2019, over 1400 fisherman and 426 boats competed.
In the statement announcing the cancellation, the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the Winter King Tournament Committee announced their appreciation for “everyone’s patience and understanding” while they work through this process.
