2006 Catfish Derby

STORY & PICTURES

2006 Catfish Derby Wrap Up---June 23rd-25th

“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head…” that could have been the opening theme for this year’s Catfish Derby at the Hallowed Grounds. That Friday night saw record rainfall both in Westport and nearby Louisville down stream on the Ohio. The heavy rains made camp setup difficult for a number of folks that came in early evening (your Editor included). By 9:00 p.m. though, the rains were pretty much over. But, they had left nearly three inches of standing water in about 75% of the camping grounds. Obviously, the main goal for the first evening of the Derby was to secure a dry spot for that night’s sleeping (obviously, catfishing took a second draw).

Of course, what could upstage a three-inch plus rain…well, maybe a barge’s fog horn blowing every few minutes starting at 5:00 a.m. for nearly an hour on Saturday morning! Everyone pretty much knew at that point that this too was going to be a memorable Derby. Maybe not for the fishing that was done, but rather for all the reasons that little fishing was done!

Saturday morning actually turned out to be very nice, as the earlier barge foghorn indicated…there was a very heavy fog on the river. There are few things more enjoyable than sitting around a morning campfire, with good friends, discussing the prior evening’s storms and past fishing adventures while a thick, white blanket of fog slowly ascends from the hills on the Indiana hillsides and off the Ohio River itself. The rising, airy, cotton mist slowly revealed the mighty Ohio’s far distant shoreline, incredible  patched views of the river itself and finally our boats that were anchored near offshore and then lastly our shoreline just below.

While a few folks did manage to go out Saturday afternoon to do a little catfishing, a number of us took up David O’Neil’s invitation to go cruising on his boat up the river toward the Trimble County Power Plant. It was a very relaxing way to spend a rather warm and humid Saturday afternoon. Thanks again David for not only the boat ride but also being a accommodating host for the weekend’s camping on the Hallowed Grounds in Westport! By late afternoon, the camp was dry, the sun was hot and it was once again your typically July, and your typically Catfish Derby weather…hot and muggy!

Saturday night was a slightly different version of the Big Game Cookout with dinner starting around 6 o’clock and going through dark. George Fitzsimmons graciously hosted the landlubbers with fresh Ohio River catfish lightly breaded and fried. It was delicious…especially for those of us who decided adding a little Cajun “love juice” (Louisiana hot sauce) was just the way to “kick it up a notch!” Thanks, George! For those who preferred their meals out on the water…David O’Neil graciously hosted an on-boat dinner.

David did have some difficulties getting his guests to fully enjoy his gourmet preparations as a number of them decided taking a few dips into the fast moving current of the Ohio was an absolute necessity considering the afternoon and evening’s temps had jumped significantly during the waning hours of daylight. And even Cap’n David decided a cool dip into the Ohio would be just the ticket as he joined several of his guests in the cooling summer waters.

As always, that evening there came tall stories of past fishing and hunting adventures that were shared around the campfire. The evening pretty much drew to a close around midnight or so, except that the neighbors who were camping just down from the Hallowed Grounds decided at around 2:00 a.m. that it was a great idea to let off some fireworks. Not just bottle rockets or sky rockets, but missiles, cannon-bursts and shells that made the opening sessions of the Iraq war’s “Shock and Awe” campaign look mild by comparison. Now, who doesn’t like fireworks? Everyone likes fireworks…but not at 2:00 in the a.m. and especially after the night before having our little early morning wake up call from a passing barge’s foghorn at 5:00 a.m.!

Seemingly, these are the things that will make this Derby memorable. Of course, every year’s Derby turns out to be memorable for one reason or another…if not for the fishing, why not three inches of rain, 5:00 a.m. barge foghorns wake-up calls and 2:00 a.m. fireworks?

(Left) David O'Neil's boat anchored offshore, silhouetted against shorelines in the foreground and background after the early morning fog has broken. (Right) Looking down river toward Westport and further down toward Louisville.

(Left) The Hallowed Grounds camp ground from the mighty Ohio River. (Right) High Adamson gives a wave on Sunday morning. A number of good folks prepared a variety of venison, boudin and regular sausages, biscuits, coffee and other camp goodies for breakfast that morning. Thanks guys...there's nothing better!!!

(Left) "Please no autographs!" Part of the Florida "Sharkmeisters" crew enjoy a little cruisin' time on David O'Neil's boat taking it easy and heading up river to the Trimble County power plant. (Right) Dr. Jack explains to Bill "Crater" More, "O.k., this 'thingy' here makes the big boat go this way, and then this 'thingy' over here makes it go 'putt-putt' up the river!"

(Left) Terry Sullivan awaits pick up for the cruise up river on David O'Neil's boat. (Right) Capt'n David cruises up to the dock...dingy in tow! She's a beautiful vessel, David!