Anglers from across the Eastern Upper Peninsula will anchor their boats and cast their lines in the Les Cheneaux waterways in hopes of catching large salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. The Les Cheneaux Islands Wildlife Association and the Islander Bar in Hessel are teaming up to host the eighth annual Les Cheneaux Slammin' Salmon Derby Saturday, August 29.

Boats will leave the Hessel Marina Saturday morning at 6:30 to catch as many fish as possible, looking to win a bit of the $3,500 to be awarded to anglers with the largest fish. Anglers have no boundaries as to where they can cast their lines in the popular oneday fishing tournament, but must return to the marina by 4 p.m. to be weighed in.

Organizer Pat Carr said he expects the derby, which promotes local fishery and sport fishing, to reel in about 25 boats from as far south as the northern Lower Peninsula and as far north as Canada.

"There's been some positive buzz about it this year," he said. "The folks that come out to fish are pretty positive about it."

Last year's derby attracted 25 boats, with Scott Couch catching the largest salmon, 14.64 pounds. Mr. Car said he's guessing an 18- pound salmon will be caught in this year's tourney.

To enter the derby, anglers must register by Friday, August 28. There is a registration fee of $100 per boat, and captains who pre-register on or before Friday, August 21, will receive a free tournament T-shirt.

Each boat captain is responsible for properly tagging their largest catches before returning to the marina for weigh in. Anglers will be provided tags by organizers the morning of the derby during boat inspections; an inspection is required for all boats before leaving the harbor.

All boat captains are also required to attend a meeting on tournament rules, regulations, and safety the night before the tournament at the Islander Bar at 7 p.m.

A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the angler who catches the largest salmon, and $500 and $300 will be awarded to the second and third largest salmon, respectively. The angler with the largest lake trout will be awarded a $500 prize, with $200 going for the second largest, and $100 for the third largest. The largest steelhead trout will earn one angler $250.

"We've changed the prizes a little bit this year," Mr. Carr said. "In previous years it has been concentrated on salmon. This year we're putting more spots for lake trout and steelhead to make it more successful for anglers."

The boat that catches the five largest fish, based on total combined weight, will win an additional $500. There will also be a mystery weight prize of $150 for the angler who catches a salmon closest to a secret designated weight. Boats will be limited to six rods per team.

Results of the tournament will be announced at the Islander Bar immediately after the weigh in.

Angers can register for the tournament at the Islander Bar on South Pickford Avenue in Hessel or by phone at 484-3359, as well as by contacting Mr. Carr at 484- 2425.