Noland Point, Bull Shoals Lake was the site of the first annual NFPB fishing tournament. There was a good turn out for the first year and everyone had a great time getting to hang out together and catch up. It was a nice little vacation and a reunion with past members and old friends. 

The festivities started Saturday afternoon when several of the teams got to the lake early. Many went on the lake to do a little pre-tournament fishing while others checked into the cabins. One team (Hellentall/Steenhook) arrived Friday night from Iowa but not after a late night detour to Flippin, AR. They finally found Noland Point (MO) in the early morning hours and made camp.  

Saturday night everyone gathered at the cabins and had a cook-out which was a group effort. The food was delicious. On full bellies, many stories were told and there was lots of trash talk as to who the winning team would be the next day. Later in the night, several people went out night fishing, some on boat, some on the docks and some did a little biking (as you will soon see). With needing to be on top of our game, we all went to bed at a decent time in preparation of the 6 a.m. take off the following morning.

With a 5 a.m. alarm, we all got up to get ready, 6 a.m. came very quickly. There was a lot of activity. Everyone was checking their tackle boxes, poles and boats to be sure every thing was in order. The official list of rules was handed out and good luck was given to all. With the boats unloaded or undocked, positions were drawn for the order of which the teams would take off. The tournament was now underway. 

The weather was great the whole weekend with only a little shower during the tournament, but things were heating up. The day went fast and soon it was the 4 p.m. weigh in time. Everyone made it in on time and was eager to see what was caught. The fish were weighted in the order that was previously drawn. The winners were paid and received trophies.

The first annual NFPB fishing tournament was a success and fun was had by all. It was nice for everyone to be able to spend time together and it not have to be at a bull riding. No one had to work, just relax and have a good time. We are all looking forward to next year's tournament and encourage more participants. We plan on having it start on a Friday for a longer weekend next year and the tournament on Sunday since it was such a good time. Hope to see you there next year and thank you to those of you that spent the weekend at the lake with us this year. Now then, we will see you some where down the road this summer which is slam full of great NFPB bull riding.

Tara Jackson

Everyone is starting to gather at the cabin.

Proctor rides the handle bars with  Hellentall on Steenhook's Chopper.

Carlton gives it a spin later in the evening.

Getting ready for the cookout.

Team Hill/Proctor

Shawn Thompson shows he is good with the grill as Adam Proctor & Clint Jackson observe. 

Jeep Steenhook shows off his sunburn.

Justin Carlton pushes the Chopper out of the the lake after he & Adam Proctor ride it down the boat ramp.  

Todd Pettigrew &  Shawn Thompson go out to do a little night fishing.

Desiree Pettigrew fishes off the dock.

At the  6 a.m. take off Jim Jackson checks things out one last time.

Teams are all getting ready.

Clint Jackson, Mark Riegel & Justin Carlton 

Deana Cain hands out the rules to Danny Holmes, Mandee Neal & Adam Proctor.

Team Hellentall/Steenhook 

Team Holmes/Neal

Wes Hill, Adam Proctor & Justin Carlton

Everyone is getting in their boats and taking off.

Deana Cain fishing through a light shower.

Proctor/Hill during the tournament.

Team Thompson/Thompson 

Team Neal/Holmes

Team Jackson/Barnett

Team Carlton/Riegel

Barry Short & Jim Jackson coming in for 4 p.m. weigh in.

Hellentall with a catfish he caught off the dock.

Barry Short & James Barnett take fish out of live well.

Holmes starts to pull out their mess of fish.

Short pulling fish out of live well to weigh.

 Proctor/Hill with their runner up to Big Bass.

James Barnett & Clint Jackson read a scale.

Clint Jackson with his "prize fish" that put them just over Neal/Holmes weight to win.

Barnett/Jackson with their 3rd place Big Bass.

Lining up fish to weigh.

Carlton/Riegel bring their fish to weigh.

Riegel/Carlton with their 4th place Big Bass.

Miss NFPB, Mandee Neal & Danny Holmes win the Big Bass trophy.

Team Neal/Holmes shows off their winnings for taking 2nd in tournament & 1st in Big Bass.

Team Barnett/Jackson take 1st in the tournament.

Jim Jackson & Barry Short celebrate 3rd place.

Tara Jackson & Deana Cain

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