There will be 15 derbies involved this year as the Northwest Salmon Derby Series celebrates its 10th year in 2013. There were just six events when the series debuted in 2004.

This year’s series will include four South Sound events on consecutive weeks in August. Those events are the South King County Puget Sound Anglers Derby Aug. 3, Gig Harbor Salmon Derby Aug. 10, South Sound Salmon Derby in Olympia Aug. 17 and Vashon Island Pink Salmon Derby Aug. 24.

New to the series this year is the Columbia River Fall Salmon Derby, scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 1 in Vancouver, Wash.

The series was created by the Northwest Marine Trade Association to promote salmon fishing. About 50,000 anglers have taken part in derbies that are a part of the series in the first nine years, said Tony Floor, director of fishing affairs for the association.

“The Northwest Salmon Derby Series has been one of the most popular events, outside of the Seattle Boat Show, ever conducted by the 60-year-old NMTA,” Floor said.

“When I was handed the assignment to develop the series back in the fall of 2003, I reluctantly accepted the task, not being a big fan of salmon derbies,” he added. “My view has been changed by the people who attend salmon derbies who are truly excited to participate in the events.”

In addition to being eligible for cash prizes and other merchandise at each derby, every derby angler is entered into a drawing for a fully outfitted fishing boat given away by the association and other sponsors. This year, participating anglers were entered to win a $60,000 21-foot River Hawk boat complete with a 150-hp motor, electronics and downriggers.

The 2013 series grand prize, another 21-foot River Hawk boat, will be unveiled at the Seattle Boat Show Jan. 25-Feb. 3. Anglers participating in the final two 2012 derbies will be entered to win the 2013 Series grand prize.

2013 derby schedule

The derbies on the 2013 schedule are:

Feb. 7-9: Roche Harbor Salmon Classic.

Feb. 16-18: Olympic Peninsula Salmon Derby.

March 16: Everett Blackmouth Derby.

July 12-14: Bellingham Salmon Derby.

July 28-29: Harbor Marine Salmon Derby, Everett.

Aug. 3: South King County PSA Salmon Derby, Point Defiance.

Aug. 10: Gig Harbor Salmon Derby.

Aug. 17: South Sound Salmon Derby, Olympia.

Aug. 24: Vashon Island Pink Salmon Derby.

Aug. 31: Willapa Bay Salmon Derby, Tokeland.

Aug. 31-Sept. 1: Columbia River Fall Salmon Derby, Vancouver, Wash.

Sept. 7: Edmonds Coho Derby.

Sept. 21-22: Everett Coho Derby.

Nov. 2-3: Bayside Marine Salmon Derby, Everett.

Dec. 6-7: Resurrection Salmon Derby, Friday Harbor.