River Williams, a 17-year-old from Oklahoma, has won the Okie Noodling Competition, an event focused on catching catfish with bare hands. Williams secured the victory on June 20 by reeling in a 71-pound catfish, his father Nate Williams, 39, told the Daily Mail. The win marked a return for Williams, who missed the previous year's competition following a gallbladder injury sustained in a car accident.
Noodling involves participants entering rivers during catfish spawning season, typically between May and July, to locate and catch the fish in their underwater holes without any tools. "It's when the catfish go to lay their eggs, they get in a hole, and you got to try and grab them out," River explained.
At this year's competition, River's 71-pound catch won the natural division, while his father Nate secured first place in the scuba division with a 79-pound catfish. The father and son competed as a team named Adrenaline Rush, a name inspired by the sensation of catching a large fish. "We got to both go up there and get first-place trophies," Nate said.
River has been practicing noodling since he was three years old, following his father into the sport. While the activity can be dangerous due to the size of the fish and potential hazards in the water, River has largely avoided serious injury, reporting minor cuts from sharp objects. His younger brother, however, nearly lost a toe while noodling. "Their teeth feel like sandpaper, if that makes any sense. The bite, it hurts sometimes," River said of the catfish.
The Williams family typically releases most of the catfish they catch, with Nate estimating they let go around 99%. On occasion, they keep fish to cook at home or donate, such as when they prepared catfish for a local homeless shelter. "It's mostly for fun," Nate said.
The Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley is considered a premier event in the sport, attracting competitors from various locations. While noodling is a practiced activity in parts of Oklahoma, River noted that he is likely the only student at his high school who participates in it during the summer. "You're crazy or you're stupid," Nate said with a laugh when describing the typical reaction from people unfamiliar with the sport.