Some of the winners in the 57th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby aren't even fishing. Thanks to the generosity of fishermen and derby organizers, senior citizens across the Island are eating the freshest-caught fish every night. Many excellent fish fillets are collected each day by contest officials.

The 57th annual Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby began Wednesday without a hitch. Brendan Langley, the weigh master, was dressed for the ordeal of weighing in each of the four species of fish: striped bass, bluefish, false albacore and bonito. When the weigh-in headquarters opened at 8 a.m. fishermen were already standing outside. In 15 minutes all four species of fish had made an appearance on the scale.

False albacore have yet to make a strong appearance in the first week of the 56th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. So far only small, undersized false albacore have been seen. The contest began on Wednesday morning with just two fishermen weighing in their fish in the first half-hour of the contest.

The 56th annual Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow, a minute past midnight. The first groggy fishermen of the month-long contest will line up to weigh in their catch when the derby headquarters opens at 8 a.m. in Edgartown.

There are few possessions that last 50 years on the Vineyard waterfront. A wooden boat may last only 10 years unless the owner takes good care of it.

The 48th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby begins tonight, a minute past midnight.