For 25 years it was an anticipated event — the arrival of the limited-edition prints depicting classic Vineyard fishing scenes as rendered by artist Ray Ellis.

Three bluefish, a nice bass, an albie and a bonito all crossed the scale Sunday morning, and the 69th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby was under way. At 8 a.m., the small fishing shack on Edgartown harbor opened its doors.

Derby fever can strike just about anyone during the five weeks of fishing that kick off this weekend. The 69th annual derby begins at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and the first weigh-in bell rings at 8 a.m. The tournament runs through Oct. 18.

Fisherman and chef Abe Pieciak turned to art last year by creating a series of watercolors he calls Lure Fish. This year he is donating a print for every single day of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

Fish tales long and tall, speculation about who will win the truck, reflections on a tough contest for fishing this year. And then a bell rang and the 68th annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby came to an end Saturday night. The awards ceremony is today at 1 p.m. at Farm Neck Golf Club.

As the 68th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby enters its final days, the bonitos and false albacores have arrived in full force.

All three of the top boat bonitos were caught in the past week, with Bob Clay’s 11.49-pound fish leading the division. Several large albies have also made their way to headquarters. Sam Bell currently stands in first place in the boat-caught albie division with a 13.24-pound catch.