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The first thing you should do is make sure the fish fits all regulations regarding size limits. King salmon, the main derby target, must be larger than 28 inches.

For those not adept at judging lengths, experts advise sticking a 28-inch-long piece of tape on the water line of the boat for easy measuring.

If you do catch an undersized king, cut the line as close to the fish's mouth as possible, then release the fish back in the water - hook, line and all. The hook will then either fall out or erode away. Removing it could further injure the salmon.

The less you handle the fish, the better its chances for survival, so be careful.

" If you take the fish out of the water and hold it down while you're working with a pair of pliers trying to take out the hook, you'll harm the fish," said Brian Glynn of the state Department of Fish and Game.

It's also important to know what the different types of fish look like. Glynn said some of less experienced anglers might confuse a small king salmon with a pink salmon, since both have spots on their backs and tails.

Once you've figured out if the fish fits the size requirements, take it out of the water as soon as possible. Some fishermen let their catches drift alongside the boat, but that situation stresses the fish, which may affect its taste. The best thing to do is pack the fish on ice, or if that's not available, in a wet gunny sack out of the sun.

" If you put fish on ice, that's the best way to preserve them," he said. " They maintain better quality over a longer period of time than fish kept in cold water."

Packing the fish on ice slows the chemical breakdown of its flesh, keeping it fresh for a longer period of time. Also, fish in poor condition won't be accepted at the derby check-in points.

Derby rules prohibit the cleaning of fish.