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Roho Chairman Alex Cook speaks during the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Roho Fishing Tournament before the fishing winners were announced and the drawing for door prizes took place. (Jay Compton photo)

J.W. Cooper and his family pose with the 43-pound catfish he caught to take first place in that category at the Roho Fishing Tournament at Beech Island Marina. (Photo courtesy Steve Cambron)

The annual Roho Fishing Tournament was held last weekend (May 4-5) at Beech Island Marina on Norris Lake in Union County, Tennessee. The tournament is the primary fundraiser for the Roho’s annual Christmas shopping spree.

“Our mission is simple and that is to help children. We’ve been doing that since 1965,” Roho Chairman Alex Cook said. “This year we’re happy to report that we plan to host our shopping spree again in December and hope to provide another wonderful Christmas for approximately 350 kids from 28 schools in the Tri-State area.”

The Rohos provide a shopping spree at Walmart in Middlesboro for the children with the most need as selected by schools in Bell County and the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, Lee County in Virginia, and Claiborne and Union counties in Tennessee. Each child is allowed to spend $200 — $140 on clothes and $60 on toys.

“We could not do this without the generous corporate and individual sponsors, donors and everyone who helps just by purchasing tickets,” Cook said.

The two main corporate sponsors are Hearthside Bank and Antique & Modern Jewelry. More information about the club can be found at www.rohofishing.org or on the Roho Charitable Trust Facebook page.

The purchase of a $10 ticket allows contestants to enter the fishing tournament with prizes as high as $500 for the biggest largemouth and smallmouth bass. First and second place prizes are also awarded for Rock Fish, Walleye, Crappie, Bream/Sunfish, and Catfish. Each ticket is also entered into a drawing for door prizes which include cash and prizes donated by area businesses including a package from Bass Pro Shops and a recliner from England Furniture.There is also a grand prize raffle for a chance to win $50,000.

While none of the 25 tickets drawn matched the winning $50,000 ticket, they were put into a consolation drawing for $500 that was won by Pinnacle View Properties.

Matt Layton represents the new ownership at Beech Island Marina and he and Cook announced on Sunday that the marina is donating a 3-night houseboat rental for the Rohos to sell chances on winning. It’s valued at about $3500. The Rohos are selling chances to win the rental on a tip board with 100 tips for $50 each.

“These boats sleep 14 people and they’ve got a hot tub on the top. We’ll make sure whoever wins it is taken care of,” Layton said. “We’re just honored to be a part of the Roho Tournament. We’re always up to help a good cause.”

The Fishing Tournament winners are listed below, see Wednesday’s Middlesboro News for complete list of the door prize winners and more pictures from the tournament.

2024 Roho Fishing Tournament Winners

Large Mouth

1st- Harold Hamlin — 3 lbs., 6.5 oz.

2nd- James Crigger — 3 lbs., 2.0 oz.

Small Smouth

1st- Alex Pratt — 3 lbs., 1.0 oz.

(tie)-Clayton Moyers — 3 lbs., 1.0 oz.

Rock Fish

1st- Mabrie Rosenbalm — 22 lbs., 6.0 oz.

2nd- Brett Kelly — 14 lbs., 3.5 oz.

Walleye

1st- Sean Frost — 3 lbs. 2.5 oz.

2nd – Jacob Barton — 2 lbs., 4.5 oz.

Crappie

1st- Bob Marrow — 1 lb., 4.5 oz.

(tie)- Brett Kelly — 1 lb., 4.5 oz.

Bream/Shellcracker

1st- David Hall — 1 lb., 3.0 oz.

2nd- Colt Hill — 1 lb., 2.0 oz.

(tie)- Lincoln Hall — 1 lb., 2.0 oz.

Catfish

1st- J.W. Cooper — 43 lbs., 0 oz.

2nd- J.W. Cooper — 21 lbs., 8.5 oz.

2024 Roho Door Prize winners

$100 donated by Eddie Beeler — Emily Giddens

$50 donated by Arnett & Steele — Lynn Livesay

$50 donated by JD and Pam Skidmore — Johanna Cook

$50 donated by Arnett & Steele — Deborah Terry

$50 donated by Schneider Insurance — George Ridings

$50 donated by Chu-Con — Johanna Cook

$50 donated by Rabbit Roe Farms — Kevin Bisecglia

$50 donated by Tucks Advertising Specialties — Johanna Cook

$25 donated by Lost Creek Campground — Shayne Haire

$25 donated by Lost Creek Campground — Jaxx Drive-In

$25 donated by Lost Creek Campground — Don Hopson

$25 donated by Lost Creek Campground — Charity Jackson

Bass Pro Prize Package donated by Brad Burkhart — Gary Walton

Recliner donated by England Furniture — Brent Pursiful

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Buttery’s — Bob Green

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Buttery’s — Chu-Con

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Buttery’s — Doyle Caylor

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Buttery’s — Chu-Con

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Buttery’s — Don Peck

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Buttery’s — Union Co. Boat Dock

2 Buffet Dinners donated by Pizza Inn — James Shumate

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Jim Brown Supply — Sophie Howard

$50 Gift Certificate donated by O’Reilly’s Auto — Turkey

$25 Gift Certificate donated by Antique & Modern Jewelry — M’boro Elementary

7-9 lb. Ham donated by Smithfield — Green Hills Funeral Home

$50 off a watch donated by Enix Jewelers — Stanifer Drug

Gift Bag donated by Fountain Square Pharmacy — Nick Cadle

$25 Gift Certificate donated by Imperial Bait & Tackle — Samantha Blondell

$25 Gift Certificate donated by Imperial Bait & Tackle — Tiffany Raley

$50 Gift Certificate donated by Hillcrest Lanes — Sophie Howard

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