Jesse Glamann, co-owner of Big Ray's in Anchorage, Kodiak and Fairbanks sits down with Fish Alaska Publisher Melissa Norris to share more information about this amazing community program they founded that gives Alaska's youth the rod that started it all.

This blog and podcast by Fish Alaska magazine spins off from the article in the April 2026 issue about a woman named Meadow Riedel from Fairbanks who was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer, beat it and lives to remind others to get their mammograms and perform self checks. Meadow and her dear friends formed the Talk Derby to Me posse and spread their joy for life at the Valdez Women's Silver Salmon Derby. Catch the blog and article by Melissa Norris and listen in as Melissa, Meadow and Laurie Prax from the Valdez Fish Derbies volunteer committee talk about the Women's Derby, Meadow's experience and this year's event. Fish Alaska Blog: https://www.fishalaskamagazine.com/womens-silver-salmon-derby/

If you want to plan a trip to Valdez for the Women's Derby or their overall Halibut Derby, Silver Salmon Derby or Kid's Derby, check out https://www.valdezfishderbies.com/

A look back on the town of Cooper Landing and the upper Kenai River fishery its known for with the founders of Alaska Wildland Adventures' Kenai River Lodge. Hosted by Fish Alaska Publisher and Founder Melissa Norris.