Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest Catfish Tournament
By Becky Ann Hopper
bhopper@henrycountian.com

1st Place-Greg Peterson-Knoxville, Tennessee & Ray 'Bulldog' Ferguson-Powell, Tennessee PARIS LANDING (May 5, 2007) The first annual Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest catfish tournament began at 6:00 a.m. on the Tennessee River with 83 team entries. Team, Ray "Bull Dog" Ferguson from Powell, Tennessee and Greg Peterson from Knoxville, Tennessee took home the $6,000 First Place Prize and the $2,000 Big Cat Bonus. Ken Freeman of Ken Freeman Outdoor Promotions and with the Tennessee Tourism told how the State of Tennessee considers Paris Landing Tourism League to be a role model.

Dark clouds loomed all day but did not dampen competition of participants who came from as far as South Dakota, Oklahoma and Ohio to participate. The fun on the bank of the Tennessee River was unhindered as well with free entertainment for the kids and several bluegrass bands playing.

One sponsor from Ken Freeman Outdoor Promotions represents each Big Cat Quest competition on the tour. Food Source Lures presented the Paris Landing tournament. Their product is 100% real food. Whereas other lures are petroleum based, Food Source Lures are biodegradable in that within 3-4 weeks it had completely deteriorated if not eaten by a fish when dropped in the water or lost. Luke Dallis, Vice President of Sales, and Marketing explained, "It is our job to protect the environment." Food Source has made the right product at the right time.

Ken Freeman of Ken Freeman Outdoor Promotions from Selmer, Tennessee strives to promote the outdoors with competitive fun. He is the former owner of the historic Botel and Pickwick Pro Bass in Pickwick, Tennessee.

He proudly sponsors the United Special Sportsman's Alliance (USSA), St. Jude's Hospital, Shriner's Hospitals, and LeBonheur Hospital for Children in Memphis, Tennessee.

5th Place-Father/Son team:David Coughlin Jr. & David Coughlin Sr.

Freeman has a special interest in sponsoring LeBonheur because his son, Walker, spent a lot of time there since he is a special needs child. The proceeds today provided 20 wagons to donate to LeBonheur. The wagons are medically equipped to transport the seriously ill children around in the hospital.

Ken Freeman started fishing with his father when he was 8-years old, competing in the World Championship of Catfishing, which is the oldest running fishing tournament in the United States. Four years ago, he acquired the World Championship of Catfishing, joining with Bass Pro Shops to promote the Big Cat Quest. Freeman has "on and placed in numerous catfish events and is considered amongst top catfish tournament fisherman in the United States."

Freeman hopes to keep the Paris Landing site as a running event on the tour. He said that as long as "they'll have us, we'll continue to come."

Bringing Mayor, Brent Greer on stage, Freeman commended the progress Henry County has made to promote tourism. Freeman presented Greer a plaque in appreciation for his efforts to lead Henry County in the promotion of tourism.

"Let me tell you something, let me tell YOU something folks. If you live in Henry County, hear what I say. Lend an ear to this. The Tourism Bill took something like liquor by the drink that was not received so well by different people across the state when it went in, he (Brent Greer) took that money, and he did something good with it. Moreover, that money went into the Tourism Fund that funded things like what we are doing today. I want to tell you folks something that you do not understand, our county is one of the best. Henry County has fit the model for the rest of the state of Tennessee." Freeman continued, "In the eyes of the State of Tennessee from a tourism standpoint, your county and what you are doing with tourism is the model that this state is following into the future for others to look at."

"Folks, your county truly is a role model for what is going on in tourism, and you need to support these people and the efforts they have done. They have truly pioneered a role model for the rest of the state to admire in what they are doing and they're the reason we are here today doing this."

Plaques of appreciation were also given to Toni Dycus and Leisa Dodd of the Paris Landing Tourism League for hosting the event, Darrell Coats and the maintenance crew at Paris Landing, and Joan Williams, Interim Park Manager.

At 71.80 Pounds-Big Cat winners: Greg Peterson & Ryan 'Bulldog' Ferguson The top five winners (from first to fifth):

1st Place-Big Cat Winners: Ray 'Bulldog' Ferguson & Greg Peterson

Ray "Bulldog" Ferguson-Powell, Tennessee and Greg Peterson-Knoxville, Tennessee, who have been fishing together for 8 years and fish for "catfish exclusively".

2nd Place-John Duck & Tim Borchert

John Duck-Plant City, Fl and Tim Borchert, Camden, Tennessee have been fishing together for 3 years. Duck who is a former Henry Countian and Park Manager at Paris Landing said the key to winning is to "pick the right partner, and today I did."

3rd Place-Bartley & Douglas

4th Place-Glen 'Red' Grogan & Greg Stalls

Bartley and Douglas have been fishing together for 4 years. Glen "Red" Grogan and Greg Stairs, both of Clinton, KY have been fishing together for 3 years. They have competed in about ten catfish tournaments and many crappie tournaments.

5th Place-Father/Son team:David Coughlin Sr. & David Coughlin Jr.

David Coughlin Sr. and David Coughlin Jr. have been fishing together all of Coughlin Jr.'s life but have been fishing competitively for the last 7-8years. They have won two World Championship of Catfishing competitions and one National Championship of Catfishing competition. Coughlin Sr. had cancer a year or two ago and then came back to compete with his son; "he really pulled through for me today", said Coughlin Jr.

The following bluegrass bands performed:

Wire and Wood-Paris, Tennessee: Jeremiah Cole-bass & vocals, Mark McWherter-guitar & vocals, Russ Wimberly-banjo, Danny Conger-fiddle & mandolin. They have performed together for four years and play by requests. Call Danny Conger at (731) 641-0796 for booking information.

Sorghum Hill-West Tennessee: Phil Cox-guitar, Becky Goodman-fiddle, Larri Windham-bass, Tim Alexander-banjo, Andrea Nash-vocal. They can be booked by calling Mark C. Holder at (901) 496-4394.

Turkey Creek-Savannah, Tennessee: David Wilkerson-lead vocal, Caleb Kelley, age 10-mandolin, Ryan Beard-banjo, Anna Bullard-fiddle, Daniel Williams-base. They can be booked at www.turkeycreekbluegrass.com or www.dwilkerson3819@hotmail.com.

Savannah Grass-Savannah, Tennessee: Mike Garrett-banjo (from Corinth, Mississippi), Bobby Gerald-base & vocal, Wayne Gerald-fiddle, mandolin & vocal, Paul Gerald-mandolin & vocal, Emmett Garner-guitar & vocal. They can be booked by calling Emmett Garner at (731) 925-2161.