Beech Tree News Network

The 36th Annual Green River Catfish Festival wrapped up on Monday night, July 4, with the opening of the tagged catfish winners and a fireworks extravaganza.  

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A total of seven tagged fish were caught in this year's fishing tournament:  Trenton Butler, Colton Givens, Fran Flener, Matt Embry, Emmit Cox, Ernie Embry, and Philip Daugherty.

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Philip Daugherty proved to be the last angler standing as Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce President James Runion read off the winning numbers.  Daugherty took home the top prize of $1,000 - a fish sponsored by Master One Tax Services.

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Ernie Embry and Emmit Cox each landed a $500 fish.  Embry's was sponsored by Delta Faucet, while Cox's was sponsored by Henderson's Land Surveying.  Embry and Flener each took home $100 for fish sponsored by the Dale and Martha Franklin Family.  Givens reeled in $50 on a fish sponsored by American Leather and Butler's fish was worth $50 and was sponsored by Quality Supply.  

Fishermen Randy Woodcock, Scotty Simms, and Billy Brown also took home $100 in prize money for the biggest catfish caught each day of the tournament.  Those fish were sponsored by Morgantown Utilities, Embry and Watts, and Morgantown Utilities.  Woodcock took the top prize with a catfish weighing 23 pounds and 6 ounces.  

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Fishing for the Little Ones winners, a fishing-themed event that takes place every night at the Festival, were also announced.  Ryan Dickens was the top prize winner with $100; Peighton Runsvoid took 2nd with $50; and Layla Vincent was 3rd with $25 in winnings.

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Closing ceremonies were kicked off by Chamber President James Runion, who introduced pageant winners Callie Cardwell and Conley Moore.  He also thanked all the sponsors, volunteers, and the city of Morgantown for working together to support the Catfish Festival. 

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Morgantown Mayor Billy Phelps echoed Runion's comments.

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"The Festival doesn't just happen.  It takes a lot of people working early in the year - Annette (Jared), Chamber board members, and city manpower - to pull it all together," said Phelps.  "We've also got the biggest fireworks show yet all set to music on 101.5.  I hope every one had a good time, despite the weather, and we'll do it again next year."  

Photos by Jeremy Hack & John Embry