Pauls Valley’s 23rd Annual Okie Noodling Tournament will return to Wacker Park June 16-17, celebrating the unique sport of hand-fishing and those who practice it.
Billed as the world’s largest hand-fishing tournament, the event regularly draws hand-fishermen, better known as “noodlers,” from across the region and around the world as they compete to bring in record-setting flathead catfish pulled from Oklahoma waters with their bare hands and win the tournament title of “big fish.”
With the largest fish often weighing in at more than 50 pounds, the tournament is definitely about sport, but this year’s festival also offers plenty of entertainment.
The two-day event will kick off with a Friday night concert in the park featuring Kat Hasty and Eli Young Band. Gates open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at okienoodling. com.
Live noodling demonstrations and the tournament weigh-in begin at noon Saturday and will continue until 6 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule will also include the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Watermelon Crawl at 1 p.m., a Catfish Cook-off at 2 p.m., the Men’s-Only Wet T-Shirt Contest at 3 p.m., the Kid’s Catfish Eating Competition at 4 p.m., and the 2023 Okie Noodling Queen Competition at 6 p.m.
Tournament winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday night’s concert begins at 8:30 p.m. and will feature Gannon Fremin and CCREV and Shane Smith and the Saints. Admission is free for all Saturday events, including the concert, however, there will be a $5 fee to park inside Wacker Park throughout the day Saturday.
Tournament registration for fishermen is available online at okienoodling.com or by calling the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce at 405-238-6491. Registration closes at noon, Thursday, June 15.
