Foxport Marina was the site for the Cave Spring Optimist Club 40th Annual Fishing Tournament
A sunny Sunday afternoon found anglers and fishing enthusiasts of all ages gathered at Foxport Marina on Smith Mountain Lake for the final hours of the Cave Spring Optimist's 40th Annual Fishing Tournament.
Approximately 500 fisherman participated in this event from May 2 - 4, 2008 to compete for the honor of landing the largest fish in six different categories; largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, crappie, catfish and stripers. Up to $15,000 in cash prizes were available for top entries in this tournament. Youth who participated were eligible to earn awards of fishing tackle and savings bonds. Many anglers were veterans of this tournament, sharing stories or past tournaments and fish that were reeled in...and some that were more elusive and were lost!
As the tournament drew to a close Sunday afternoon, fisherman who had potential prize winning catches watched the results board closely to see if their fish were still in contention for the cash awards! After verification of each angler's catch, results were announced and prizes were awarded! First place winners in each category were ~ H.D. Ayers, 6.48 pound largemouth bass; Ricky Cowden, 2.38 pound crappie; Larry Horne, 4.18 pound smallmouth bass; Ricky Cowden, 35.12 pound catfish.
The Optimist Club of Cave Spring is a civic organization that has sponsored youth programs and projects in the Greater Roanoke Valley for almost 45 years. The Optimist Club endeavors to identify and meet the needs of area youth in any way they can. All proceeds from the fishing tournament are used in this pursuit to serve area young people.
Carol Landrum shared that a fall tournament has been tentatively scheduled for the first weekend in October to benefit the Optimist's Childhood Cancer Campaign.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a look at everything else we have to say:
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