Catdaddy and friends participate in tournament
Among those entering the Marion Lake Association's Catfish Tournament Sunday at Marion Reservoir was "Catdaddy," R.R. Shumway of Topeka.
He operates Catdaddy's Catfishin' Adventures. His son, Jordan, a nine-year-old in the fourth grade in Topeka, accompanied him, as did Dave Macha of Independence, Mo.
Macha operates Anglers Fishing Info where he gives out fishing, hunting, and camping information for Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois.
Catdaddy Shumway fishes the U.S. Cats Tournament Trail all over the nation. "It's a growing thing," he said. He and his two companions were already in town Friday to scout out the reservoir and the competition.
Shumway said the MLA and Canada Bait & Tackle were co-sponsoring Sunday's tourney.
He's fished all over, Shumway said — Paducah, Ky., Tennessee, the Mississippi River, and many other sites.
He's fished in competition against Bill Dance, a famous angler, at Mud Island, Memphis, Tenn.
He said he expected Dick Johnson, "The American Catter," from Alton, Ill., to be here for the competition Sunday. Johnson operates Big River Guide Service on the Mississippi River.
Catdaddy Shumway uses his own, self-developed bait — Catbuster, which is pure turkey blood, he said. He uses Seeker poles and Classic rods.
He uses Bully braid line made by Triple Fish. Teva Shoes is one of his sponsors. "They make a very comfortable fishing shoe," he said.
Eagle Claw Hooks is another one of his sponsors. And there's also the Paha-Que Tent Co. in his corner.
Trophy catfishing is a catch-and-release sport, Shumway said. He likes to do things with and for kids that relate to catfishing.
"They're our future. We've got to keep that in mind," he said.
