Pauls Valley’s 22nd Annual Okie Noodling Tournament will return to Wacker Park June 17-18 to celebrate 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 all across the region 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 catches often weighing in at more than 50 pounds, the tournament is definitely about sport, but it’s also about legacy and tradition, according to Pauls Valley Tourism Director Becky Ledbetter.
“It’s carrying on what Phil started,” Ledbetter said, referring to original tournament organizer Phil Henderson. “This was something that Phil brought to Pauls Valley, and when I say legacy, it’s about carrying that on for him, and also bringing it to a new level.”
It’s also about continuing a tradition, especially in a state that is often credited with being the birthplace of noodling.
“It’s a sport that gives families an opportunity to come together,” Ledbetter said. “Whether it’s a dad getting out and showing his kid, ‘This what we’re doing, this is how we’re going to fish today.’ It’s just really cool.”
In addition to the fishing tournament, Okie Noodling offers plenty of opportunity for entertainment. Ledbetter said this year’s event will include returning activities and attractions, as well as some new things, including concerts on both Friday and Saturday night.
Friday night’s concert begins at 6 p.m. at Wacker Park and features Read Southall Band with Carson Jeffrey. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and can be purchased online at okienoodling.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate for $15. Children 12 and under are free.
Vendors will be open Friday night starting at 5 p.m.
Saturday’s concert begins at 6 p.m. and will feature Josh Abbott Band with Grady Spencer and The Work. Admission for Saturday’s concert is free, however, there will be a $5 fee to park inside Wacker Park throughout the day Saturday, Ledbetter said.
This year Okie Noodling is taking its cornhole tournament up a notch, too, with the American Cornhole Association stepping in to host the tournament.
“In the past we’ve had cornhole tournaments, but not put on by the American Cornhole Association. So that’s pretty exciting for us,” Ledbetter said.
The cornhole tournament is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday
The Tulsa Drillers minor league baseball team may also play some role in Okie Noodling this year, Ledbetter said, though she’s not sure in what capacity just yet. Last summer, The Drillers rebranded themselves as the Tulsa Noodlers for a weekend, paying homage to the sport. Since then, Okie Noodling organizers have been in contact with the Drillers, who have expressed interest in being a part of Okie Noodling, Ledbetter said.
Live noodling demonstrations and the tournament weigh-in begin at noon Saturday and will continue until 6 p.m. Tournament winners will be announced at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule will also include the Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Watermelon Crawl at 1 p.m., the Men’s-Only Wet T-Shirt Contest at 3 p.m., Kid’s Catfish Eating Competition at 4 p.m., and the 2022 Okie Noodling Queen Competition at 6 p.m.
Vendor booths will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The city has partnered with Delta Public Transit to provide a complimentary shuttle bus that will run every half hour from Wacker Park to downtown Pauls Valley and out to hotels near Interstate 35 both Friday and Saturday, Ledbetter said.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will be setup for DUI checks throughout the tournament.
