Two noodling tournaments

[Uncle Bill]

Noodling festivals coming this summer



Noodling, the sport of fishing by hand, is not for the faint of heart. But if you're not ready to try it yourself then attend one of the two noodling festivals coming soon. It may be just the inspiration you need.



Tishomingo will be hosting the Second Annual National Noodling Tournament and Festival to be held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, June 19. The event, hosted by the Johnston County Chamber of Commerce, will be headquartered at Pennington Park in Tishomingo.



Contestants will vie for prizes for the biggest fish. Live music, craft booths and a plenty of good food will round out the festival.



For more information about the tournament, call (580) 371-2175.



The annual Okie Noodling Tournament held in Pauls Valley has become quite a tradition for many Oklahomans. In fact, last year the event drew about 600 people to the south-central Oklahoma town. Once again, Bob's Pig Shop will host the event at 5:00 p.m., June 26. The fifth annual event will feature a fish fry, live music, a noodling queen pageant and plenty of monstrous catfish.



For more information about the tournament or to download an entry form log on to www.okienoodling.com. For more information about the event, call the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce at (405) 238-6491 or log onto their Web site at paulsvalley.com.



The flathead catfish can be taken legally by noodlers in Oklahoma. As temperatures warm up, flatheads start searching shallow water for holes under logs, rocks and along mud banks so they can spawn. They will stay in the holes to deposit and fan their eggs until they hatch, and noodlers can pull the fish from those holes. Fork-tailed catfish including both channel and blue catfish are classified as game fish and must be released immediately by noodlers.



Those interested in noodling in Oklahoma should be aware that the daily bag limit for noodlers is three flathead catfish. Flatheads must be a minimum of 20 inches to be kept. Additionally, noodling is a "hands-only" sport and the possession of hooks, gafts, spears, poles or ropes with hooks attached while noodling is prohibited. For fishing regulations or to purchase a fishing license, log on to the Department’s Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com.

[BornBad]