The organizers call it a benefit tournament and fun day. It is all about catfishing so it has to be fun. It goes to a good cause so it is a benefit too. Best of all, you can participate, show off your catfishing skills, and contribute to a good cause while having a chance to win some great prizes.
The event is the 6th Annual Catfishing for a Cause Benefit Tournament and fun day on Oct. 29, 2016. The tournament is held to raise money and awareness for the Challenged Outdoorsmen of America, Arkansas Chapter (COA).
COA is an organization the sponsors Disabled and Challenged Youth and veterans in hunting and fishing opportunities. “Every year we hold the Catfishing For A Cause Benefit Tournament,” reports tournament organizer Robert Tallman. “We do it to raise money for equipment and supplies needed to make these special hunting and fishing trips successful.”
This year’s event will carry a Halloween theme for the kids. “There will be lots games, prizes, costume contest and more,” continued Tallman. “Winning teams will be awarding plaques and everyone that shows will be a part of the raffles we have going on. We will have fantastic items from companies all over the USA that support our event. It will be a fun day for everyone as it is every year as we keep getting bigger.”
The Arkansas chapter of COA has an interesting history. It is further evidence of the positive influence catfishermen can have on the world. “In 2011 a good friend of mine from Texarkana, Dearil Jackson Sr. and I was talking,” explained Tallman. “We always loved taking about catfishing. One day he says to me, ‘I see all your photos of your fishing trip, but they are always photos of someone else holding fish. Why is that,’”
Tallman went on to explain that he just enjoyed taking others out and putting them on fish. Jackson then offered to send him some videos on what he did in his spare time. The videos turned out to be shot on trips where Jackson, his family and some volunteers took disabled and challenge youth , adults and veterans on fishing and hunting excursions.
When Tallman inquired about the videos he discovered that Jackson ran an organization called the Challenged Outdoorsmen Of America. Jackson told Tallman that he would be a perfect candidate to start an Arkansas chapter.
“I told him I would be honored,” said Tallman. “So, in 2012 The Challenged Outdoorsmen of America Arkansas Chapter formed. I got a few board members to help me out and we were on our way.”
They had to raise some money for their first project, which was a kids fishing derby, so a catfish tournament was started. “We thought of many ways to raise money,” recalls Tallman. “One of the members suggested having a catfish tournament. We charged everyone $50 to enter and gave away some prizes. It was something we all loved to do and thought it would be the perfect fundraiser.”
Now they needed a name. “It was for a good cause,” said Tallman. “So we named it Challenged Outdoorsmen Of America Arkansas – Catfishing for A Cause. That’s how it started. We had our first benefit tournament on the Arkansas River with five teams and it has just now really started getting some attention.”
Support comes from all over the USA. “Bottom Dwellers Tackle, Drift Master Rod Holders, Whisker Wear Apparel, Bass pro shop and Academy Sports have been with us since the second yea,r supporting our cause,” reported Tallman.
Last year Mr.Tony Stark and his wife took first place. “They have fished with us since the first event,” reported Tallman.
“It is l ways a great feeling to feel the tug of a nice cat on a rod,” said Stark. “Knowing your efforts of trying to outwit an elusive bottom feeder were successful is even a greater feeling. We competed against some guys in which I have high regard as great catfishermen and to best them that day was very rewarding.”
“I think the annual COA tourney is very worthwhile,” continued Stark. “We have been blessed above measure to help raise funds for those less fortunate. Robert Tallman does an excellent job and the tourney would not exist if it wasn’t for his passion for both catfishing and the recipients of the COA program.”
“It’s a fun day for everyone,” concluded Tallman. “One hundred percent of the proceeds goes back to the COA for equipment and supplies needed to get our challenged outdoorsmen into the field to hunt, fish, and just enjoy the things we love so much . They want to do it as we do, and now they can with our help. Our motto is just this, DISABILITIES DO NOT HANDICAP OUTDOORSMEN.”
For more information on the event like them on Facebook and follow them in their endeavors.
