Cookeville Hosting National, International Fishing Events

Cookeville will host the 2021 U.S. Kayak Open and the 2022 FIPSed Kayak Fishing World Championships.

Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau Executive Director Molly Brown said landing national and international fishing events is a huge win. Brown said hosting international events are exactly what communities are looking for when it comes to tourism.

“We’re just excited, especially during a time when the travel industry is affected so much in a negative way,” Brown said. “That we’re able to recruit an event of this capacity and to be able to show that as a great way to kick off the new year.”

Participants are expected to do their pre-fishing in notable waterways like Center Hill, Cordell Hull and Dale Hollow Lake. That also includes the Caney Fork, Cumberland and Calfkiller Rivers. First up will be the U.S. Kayak Open in September 2021, followed by the world championship competition in May 2022.

Cookeville beat out Knoxville and Branson, Missouri for the hosting rights. Both events are expected to bring over 100 participants.