The winner of the Merle Lawson Salmon Derby 2013 is Gage Vogler, age 11, whose 19 pound (guts out) salmon was the first fish weighed in. It was caught trolling an anchovy on a slip rig in 55 feet of water off of Tomales Point on his brother's rod. Yes, Gage was quicker to the rod, knocking larger fishermen out of the way. Merle Lawson was known for similar agility in pursuit of fish.

Here is Gage at the weigh-in. Note the game face.

John Brezina took second place with a 19 pound salmon. Ties went to the first weighed in, so Brezina had second and Herb Hansen, not pictured, took third place with his 19 pound salmon. Herb had a double at Abbott's Lagoon and never had another bite. Also of note, Stacy Barton and A.J. Masters brought back two salmon. All told there were about a dozen salmon brought in from some pretty rough water. Merle whipped up the winds again to keep things interesting. The bay stayed nice enough for some more halibut to be taken by Hog Island.