2006 U.S.-C.A.T.S Championship Tournament
Dates: September 23 & 24
Owensboro, KY

Before I list the winners we want to give a very special Thank you to the Frabill Corporation, for making it possible for this tournament to be aired on TV. I will list the date and time it is to be scheduled.

Also a special Thank you to all the participants, City of Owensboro, Owensboro Convention Bureau and to the Executive Inn. For all their help and support.

What a tournament! Mother Nature decided to get very nasty Friday evening.

Tornadoes were spotted all over. In Owensboro, KY alone there were 4 tornadoes that touched down. In all the years of tournament fishing this is the worst I have ever experienced weather wise. Below is a copy of the editorial that Harry Canterbury ( Adventure Sports Outdoors) wrote:

Talk about tough, I just got back from U.S.C.A.T.S. World Champion catfish tournament at Owensboro Kentucky. I thought it would be another typical trip; the usual stuff a little rain maybe with some wind and a possible tornado warning. Boy was I in for a surprise. When we were almost to Owensboro we had blinding rain. When we arrived at the Executive Inn we were locked up for 2 hours in a tornado proof room. And only till the main storm passed over us were we allowed to leave. It was reported that 4 tornados were on or near Owensboro that evening. Friday night a couple of boats were blown into cars, down trees and debris were all over the place.
On Saturday the rain still continued all day. It was estimated we had between 10 and 12 inches in two days. What amazed me was this crazy weather did not deter the spirit or the determination of these fishermen. These catfish guys are some real tough hombres, who went fishing as if it was a typical day. You know if you base a country’s backbone by the people who live in it, we as a nation are in pretty good shape. It might have been bad judgment to get soaked to the bone, get blown all over the place and risk life, limb, equipment and dodge tress floating down the river for a little fun, but it was worth it to these guys.
The Ohio is a mean and fast river that deserves respect. But the American spirit lives and breath’s still today in the hardy river men. The U.S.C.A.T.S. world champion 1st place winners were Vern Harness and James Merrill from Omaha, Nebraska, with a total fish weight of 111 pounds and 4 ounces in two days. They also won big fish at 36.2. All fish were big blues and the bait of choice was beef blood home made in Nebraska. Congratulations guys on a great job. We filmed a TV show for our PBS affiliates that will air sometime this fall. ASO sends a big thanks to the Frabill Corporation for making this show possible.

Click here to read the complete editorial: ASO Magazine

Here are the results of the top 4 teams in the 2 day event:

 Species weighed in:

 Here are the pictures of the winners and additional photos:

 Championship Winners& Big Fish

 Vern Harness - James Merrill

 Total weight: 111.4

 2nd. place:

 Roger Gerloff, Jr. & Logan Gerloff

 Weight: 85.14

 3rd. place:

 Leo Gerloff & Roger Gerloff,Sr.

 Weight: 60.14

 4th. place:

 Ray Williams & JR Rodriguez

 Weight: 20.10

4th. place	Mayor Tom Watson and Sandy Midkiff Sandy Midkiff was presented with a plague honering her late Bruce on his accomplishment. Bruce was a record holder for his catch of a 104 pound bluecat.	Leo Gerloff & Roger Gerloff,Sr.
Winners of Frabill products - Ed Schneider / Roger Nelson	Logan Gerloff & Roger Gerloff,Jr.
3 generation of Gerloff's
Championship winners Vern Harness (right) & James Merrill	Harry Canterbury (ASO magazine) and his crew
	Show moblie (could not use because of the rising waters)
Vern Harness with their big fish 36.2 Bluecat

 Thank you to the following sponsors for their support and participation:

	New HD Paper Maps
	click here >>Catfish Hooks

Thank you again to all our Sponsors and Participants for another great year. U.S.-C.A.T.S will be going into its 8th. year. Without you this never would been possible.

Thank you

&

God Bless

Virgil & Virginia (Ginny) Agee