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Morgan Invitational
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2009
19th Morgan Invitational... A Complete Event
May, 2, 2009
Despite clouds and weather predictions that forecast gloom and doom all morning, the Morgan family snuck in its 19th Annual Invitational event May 2 on Tillery, wrapping the fishing part up as heavy clouds made it clear what would occur in the afternoon. Fourteen boats from across the area gathered for the event that memorializes two of the best-known fishermen who have plied the waters of Tillery.
According to granddaughter, Tracy Letto, the gathering is in honor of her granddad, O.J. (Red) Morgan and Roland Blaylock. “Their fishing was well known in the area and we started this after their passing as a way to honor them.” Letto said the first few years were just for fun as a small group of family members gathered. The winner had to buy all the other participants all the fixings for a fish fry. Soon, a full-fledged, fish fry banquet was added to the afternoon's activities and it expanded into a true tournament. Letto became the first woman to ever fish in the competition a few years ago.
“We like to keep it small,” said Max Morgan, the tournament organizer for the family. “We've had years when there were many, many boats, but small is easier.” Morgan is one of seven brothers, two of whom are deceased (Jimmy & Connie). Brothers Jerry, Paul, Mickey and Tim were all on boats hoping to make the most of the day.
The tournament has a ten-fish limit and this year added Dick's Sporting Goods as a sponsor. A variety of gifts and prizes were donated by the generous merchant to those turning out and a drawing was held at the noon time weigh in. Jerry Speight served as Weighmaster.
Although the event is a competitive one and the fee for entering is low, none of the unlucky anglers seemed to mind having no payday. “Getting together each year is what is important,” said Morgan (Max). Robert Parrish and Michael Whitley did manage to catch the biggest weight, pulling in 22 pounds 8 ounces.
Second place boaters were husband and wife, Tracy and Frank Letto, who coaxed 16 pounds out of the waters. Mickey Morgan caught Big Fish in the tournament, netting a 5 pound 2 ounce bass. The youngest angler in the group, 13-year-old Mica Speight, was the big winner in the prize drawing at the end, winning a fishing pole and reel everyone would have loved to take home.
“It was a great day and I think everyone had a lot of fun out there,” said Letto after weigh in. “Now comes to real fun... it's time to eat!” she laughed. The landing cleared faster than a late-March snow in North Carolina.
Editor's Note: We would have loved to join the group for the fish fry, and were invited. We appreciate the generous offer, but it was off to cover more tournaments on another lake... just enough time to make it to a 3 PM weigh in on Badin. There's a PB & J sandwich in the cooler.