News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Pickett County played host to two different fishing tournaments but the pandemic and weather created less than ideal results.
The Renegade Fishing Tournment ran from October 19-24 and the FLW tournament ran from October 26-31.
Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Billy Robbins said the FLW tournament ended up with half of its regular turnout because of fishers hesitant to travel during the pandemic. Robbins said the back and forth weather also led to some tough fishing on Dale Hollow Lake.
“It was very hard to catch, they was catching some of them in 40 and 50 feet of water, which is unusual you know, they had to fish really deep,” Robbins said. “Have your hot days and your cold days and weather changes going along with it, just tough, tough fishing this time of year.”
However, Robbins said the first tournament brought over 170 boats, which he was anticipating for the Renegade Fishing Tournament. While the FLW Tournament had some travelling issues, local fishers got a chance to shine.
“The winner, the pro boater Saturday, I think he got right at $40,000,” Robbins said. “There was two locals in the top 10, one of them was a pro boater and one of them was a co-angler, so they both did well.”
Despite the issues the two weekends of fishing saw, Robbins said he believes the area did what it takes to bring these tournaments back. Robbins said he does not expect the same travelling issues next year.
“For the most part I had a positive response, like I said a little bit disappointed on the count but that can change next year,” Robbins said. “Both of them their count will pretty well double if you have a normal year.”
Robbins said there are still plans to bring back these tournaments and is targeting an FLW tournament in Spring 2021 and a Renegade Tournament in Fall 2021. He said the tournaments are scheduled, but hosting fees need to be paid.
