HOOPERS ISLAND — The W. T. Ruark Fishing Tournament was held on June 4. It has been held on the first Sunday in June for the last 45 years. Weather was beautiful, seas were calm, fish were biting and a good time was had by all. Another bonus is that lately the first Sunday in June is the first weekend you can keep a 20-inch rockfish.

This fishing tournament held for the benefit of the Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company always ushers in a series of similar local tournaments held throughout this area during the summer months. This year there were no fish entered in these categories: Bluefish and Flounder.

The winners are listed below. Each fisherman or fisherwoman received a trophy plus cash prizes of $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for the captain of the first place winner.

HARDHEAD: 1st Prize, Drew Dawson - 11 3/16 inches. Captain: Andy Dawson. 2nd Prize, Andy Dawson - 10 15/16 inches.

WHITE PERCH: 1st prize, Rhonda Aaron - 12 8/16 inches. Captain, Larry Aaron. 2nd prize, Barry Taylor - 12 2/16 inches.

CATFISH: 1st prize, Jordan Mitchell - 24 4/16 inches. Captain, Jordan Mitchell. 2nd prize, Jacob Mitchell - 22 15/16 inches.

ROCKFISH: 1st prize, Heather Kirkessner - 38 9/16 inches. Captain, Barry Taylor. 2nd prize, Nellie Flowers - 29 6/16 inches.

DRUM: 1st prize, Sharlene Ruark - 18 inches.

SPOT: 1st prize, Jade Ruark - 8 8/16 inches. Captain, Jo-Jo Ruark

TROUT: 1st prize, Carlton Thomas - 17 1/16 inches. Captain, Carlton Thomas. 2nd prize, Ken Tyson - 16 4/16.

Other Awards included:

• Longest Fish Caught By Child Age 5 To 11: Chasden Adams, 29 Inch Rockfish. Trophy Plus $50

• Nick Cartwright Memorial Trophy For Longest Fish Caught By A Youth Age 12-17: Austin Shockley, 23 12/16 Rock. Trophy Plus $75 Donated By Cartwright Family

• Frederick Malkus Memorial Reward For Woman 18 Or Over Catching Longest Fish: Heather Kirkessner 38 9/16 Inch Rock.

• Joanna Phillips Memorial Award To Person Catching Longest Fish Of The Tournament And $50 Prize Donated By Phillips Family: Heather Kirkessner, 38 9/16 Rock

• W.T. (Billy) Ruark Memorial Trophy And $100: drawing from among all those who entered a fish in tournament — Rhonda Aaron

• Award To Person Selling Most Tournament Tickets: Mary Jo Bosley

• $100 Cash To Person Selling The Most Raffle Tickets: Nellie Flowers

• 50/50 RAFFLE WINNER was Jenny Jones who generously donated her $280 winnings back to the Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company. We thank you Jenny. Miss Outdoors 2017 Katelyn Robinson did a great job drawing the door prize winners and helping to pass trophies to the winners. She was aided by the Outdoor Littles!

Winners were verified by Rosemary Dean, treasurer of the Hooper Island Vol. Fire Co.