BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LENORE, W.Va. — Whether you are an avid fisherman or just learning the best techniques to land that “big one,” Laurel Lake in Mingo County is where you want to be Saturday, June 13 for the sixth annual Bob Wellman Memorial Fishing Tournament.

There is no cost to compete and you could win cash prizes, according to event organizer Greg “Hootie” Smith, a Williamson attorney and former county commissioner.

Organizer Johnny Nick Hager, community leader and advocate for Dingess and the surrounding areas, invites everyone who can to come out and join the event.

“We are very excited to partner with the A.B.L.E. Families organization from Kermit, who will be making this year’s event extra special by serving free hot dogs and chips to all participants,” Hager said. “It’s hard to pass up the chance to fish for free and enjoy a great lunch.”

Rangers will stock the lake with 300 pounds of trout on the morning of the event. Fish will wear color-tags for cash prizes of $10 and $20 per fish.

The largest fish in the adult division and the 18-and-under group will win prizes.

One special fish will be tagged with a marker displaying “the Mayor” in honor of life-long resident Bob Wellman’s unofficial title as “Mayor of Dingess.” Catch that fish for a $100 bonus.

“It’s hard to believe we’re in our sixth year of hosting this tournament,” remarked Smith. “I know that Bob would be very pleased to see this yearly event draw the size crowd that it does, and to see families continuing to make memories that will last a lifetime.”

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and wrap up at 2 p.m.

Laurel Lake Park, 100 Park Drive, Lenore, is 12 miles northeast of Lenore via State Route 65.

The lake has 29 acres of surface water for fishing, swimming and boating.

For more information, please contact Smith at (304) 235-0405 or Hager at (304) 785-8108.