West Marine Sponsors 2016 Northwest Salmon Derby Series

Marine parts and accessories retailer West Marine has been named as the title sponsor of the 2016 Northwest Salmon Derby Series.

The Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA), which produced the series, partners with 14 independent fishing tournaments to help promote its events and increase participation at each event. NMTA expects more than 7,000 anglers to fish in the series events this year.

As a retailer of boat accessories including fishing tackle, the series sponsorship is a good fit for California-based West Marine. “West Marine is excited to offer its support behind NMTA’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series,” said Zack Eckert, West Marine fishing category manager. “The sponsorship aligns perfectly with West Marine’s emphasis on fishing, and so we felt putting our name behind the Series made good sense for both parties. NMTA runs a professional, well organized e vent, and we are pleased to partner with them and help make this year’s Salmon Derby Series the best yet.”

The series began in 2004 by partnering with six tournaments, and has grown to include 14 events in 2016. Each year the Series awards a grand prize fishing boat package in an annual raffle drawing from all participating anglers. This year’s grand prize boat is a fully-rigged 22’ Hewescraft OceanPro, powered by a 225 horsepower Mercury Verado outboard and 9.9 trolling motor on an EZ Loader Trailer.

The $85,000 prize boat – fully rigged with Lowrance electronics, Scotty downriggers and a Dual Electronics stereo system – will be on display as part of the West Marine – Northwest Salmon Derby Series display at the 2016 Seattle Boat Show, to be held from January 29 to February 6 at CenturyLink Field Event Center.