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Big Mouth
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Once a year, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, is home to the Okie Noodling Tournament, a 24-hour race to bring in the biggest catch using an unusual—and sometimes dangerous—technique. Unlike traditional anglers, noodlers forego the rod and reel and take on massive catfish with their hands, pulling them from holes by their toothless mouths. The American Festivals Project was on the scene to capture the action in 2009.
Read more about the Okie Noodling Tournament from the American Festivals Project blog.
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Demonstration Tank
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
A demonstration tank enables prospective noodlers to try their hand at the underwater struggle.
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Family Photo
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Family and friends show off a day’s work. The catfish found by noodlers are flatheads, which contestants pull from lakes and rivers throughout Oklahoma.
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Feeling for Flatheads
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Men feel for catfish holes with their feet in a lower tributary off Oklahoma’s Eufaula Lake. Tension accompanies every step—muskrats, beavers, snakes, and snapping turtles are often the second tenants of former catfish holes.
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Child-Size Fish
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Noodling is necessarily a team activity—a mature flathead can be bigger than a small person and capable of pulling a man under. When a fish is being pursued, a support team stands ready to ensure the noodler’s safety.
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Catfish Weigh-In
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Crowds gather in front of Bob’s Pig Shop on North Ash Street in Pauls Valley during the weigh-in.
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Noodling Catch
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Only one hand is needed to hold this relatively small flathead by its lower lip.
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Catfish Transport
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Only live catfish can be officially entered into the competition. Teams from all over the state arrive at the weigh-in with their potential prizewinners in large tanks.
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Big Catch
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
In Oklahoma, noodling is a tradition that starts at a young age for some.
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Fish Fans
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
A large flathead gets the star treatment as handlers carry it to the weigh-in.
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Street Fish
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
During the noodling tournament, it’s not unusual to see people carrying massive catfish down the street in Pauls Valley.
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Noodling Winners
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Prize money, trophies, and social prestige await the winning noodlers.
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Noodling on Display
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
The rivers in Oklahoma are muddy and opaque; a giant demonstration tank reveals what noodling looks like.
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